Blockchain-based digital chain of custody multimedia evidence preservation framework for internet-of-things

The Internet of Things (IoT) has made everyday tasks more efficient using smart devices, which are now integral parts of people's daily routines. As a result, there has been a surge in services supporting smart devices across various industries, such as home automation, healthcare, and agriculture, which necessitate users to share their personal information. The number of smart devices continues to grow, increasing the likelihood of digital crimes. Digital forensics can provide an advantage in investigating IoT-related crimes because everyone leaves digital traces. In this study, a blockchain-based evidence-preservation framework is developed for IoT devices called BEvPF-IoT to preserve digital artifacts. The aim is to create a secure environment that prevents third-party manipulation of digital evidence until it is presented in court. The feasibility of the proposal is evaluated through experiments conducted on a blockchain network, focusing on measuring latency, gas consumption, and throughput. The proposed framework also enhances transparency and accountability in the forensic examination of digital multimedia evidence, ultimately ensuring that investigation results can be trusted and relied upon.