The application of IoT devices in evidence collection and preservation In legal investigations In the common law legal system of Western countries

Objective: The purpose of this study Is to investigate the use of Internet of Things devices In legal science to collect and maintain evidence in legal research, especially in the common law legal system of Western countries, as well as Its use in forensic medicine.Materials & Methods: In this review study that was conducted in 2024, the articles displayed in Taylor & Francis Group, Science Direct, OXFORD ACADEMIC, Scopus, google scholar, SPRINGER LINK… databases were used. The collection of reviewed articles included 50 articles (from 20 different countries) that included qualitative and quantitative research related to the last 5 years (from 2020 to now) in English. Researches that had an unclear implementation method or were only conducted in the field of communication technology and engineering were excluded from the study process. Also, the articles whose full text was not available were excluded from the study.Results: The articles provide insights into the application of IoT devices in evidence collection and preservation for legal investigations within the common law legal system of Western countries. They highlight the challenges posed by the volatile nature of IoT data, the need for predefined forensic plans, and the importance of developing frameworks for digital forensics of IoT devices. Additionally, the research emphasizes the significance of evidence collection mechanisms in IoT forensics, discussing strategies, methodologies, and future research directions in this area. Furthermore, the papers suggest the use of Blockchain technology to enhance the authenticity, integrity, and nonrepudiation properties of collected evidence, aiming to mitigate threats to traditional IoT forensics systems.Conclusion: IoT devices are smart gadgets that connect to the internet and play a crucial role in legal investigations by collecting and preserving evidence from crime scenes. They provide real-time monitoring, enhance data accuracy, and improve evidence integrity. However, privacy, data security, and compatibility issues must be considered. Proper collection, preservation, and authentication of IoT evidence are essential for its admissibility in court. IoT devices revolutionize crime scene investigations by providing valuable electronic evidence, establishing timelines, and enhancing digital forensics capabilities. As IoT technology advances, we can expect more sophisticated devices tailored for legal investigations, streamlining processes and expediting case resolutions.