THE ROLE OF DIGITAL FORENSICS IN EXAMINING JUVENILE IDENTITY THEFT

The intersections of restorative justice and digital forensics are used to analyze the rising problem of juvenile identity theft in the digital age. As juveniles increasingly engage in cybercrimes like identity theft, digital forensics is crucial in investigating electronic evidence. Restorative justice, on the other hand, emphasizes accountability, healing, and reintegration into society, providing a rehabilitative option. The paper illustrates how these two strategies may work in tandem to improve juvenile justice through a review of literature and case studies. This study analyzed 16 scholarly articles published between 2019 and 2023, utilizing a mixed-methods approach with qualitative case studies from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and peer-reviewed journals, alongside quantitative data on juvenile forensic statistics. The findings suggest that integrating digital forensics into restorative justice provides a more personalized approach, helping offenders understand the impact of their actions and take responsibility. The paper calls for further research into systematically combining these approaches to enhance rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and foster a more effective justice system for juvenile offenders.