What is the impact of incorrect handling of digital evidence?

The impact of incorrect handling of digital evidence primarily revolves around the potential for loss or alteration of that evidence. Digital evidence is often fragile and can be easily tampered with or unintentionally changed if not handled according to established protocols.

When digital evidence is mishandled, it can compromise its integrity and reliability, leading to difficulties in analyzing the evidence during an investigation. This can also jeopardize the overall legal process, as any changes made to evidence may render it inadmissible in court. As a result, the chain of custody, which tracks the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected, becomes critical to maintaining its integrity and ensuring that it can be reliably used in legal proceedings.

In summary, careful and correct handling of digital evidence is essential to preserve its authenticity and support investigative efforts. Mishandling can have serious repercussions on the outcome of both the investigation and any subsequent legal actions.