Applying Mary Aiken’s Ethical Theories to Digital Crime Scene Investigation: The Role of AI in Modern Forensic Science

This paper critically examines the ethical theories of Mary Aiken and her applications to digital crime scene investigations, alongside the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in forensic analysis. AI, defined as the capability of computer systems to mimic cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making, has increasingly reshaped investigative methodologies (Goodfellow, Bengio, &amp; Courville, 2016).Aiken’s contributions to cyberpsychology, which is an interdisciplinary field that explores the psychological impact of digital environments on human cognition and behavior it offers vital insights into the ethical complexities surrounding the collection, analysis, and preservation of digital evidence (Attrill-Smith et al., 2019).This paper applies Aiken’s theoretical framework to the ethical dilemmas faced by forensic investigators in an era of rapid technological advancement. Additionally, it explores AI’s potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of digital crime scene investigations, while critically assessing concerns related to privacy infringement, algorithmic bias, and the erosion of human accountability in automated decision-making.To provide empirical context, two case studies are examined one demonstrating AI’s capacity to augment forensic investigations positively and another highlighting its unintended adverse consequences.Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity of ethical vigilance and responsible AI integration in forensic science to balance investigative efficacy with the preservation of fundamental human rights.<b>Keywords</b>: Mary Aiken, ethical theories, digital crime scene investigation, artificial intelligence, digital forensics, cyberpsychology, privacy, algorithmic bias.