DIGITAL FORENSIC ETHICS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE VALIDITY OF EVIDENCE IN COURT

Abstract

_{The development of information technology has increased the intensity of the use of electronic evidence in law enforcement processes, making digital forensics a very important instrument in uncovering technology-based crimes and conventional crimes involving digital devices. However, the effectiveness of digital evidence is determined not only by the technical ability to obtain and analyze evidence, but also by adherence to the principles of digital forensic ethics. This study aims to analyze the relationship between digital forensic ethics and evidentiary validity in court, as well as to examine the implications of ethical violations on the evidentiary value of electronic evidence. The study uses a normative legal research method with a statutory approach, a conceptual approach, and a case approach. Data were obtained through a literature review of laws and regulations, court decisions, scientific literature, and international standards in the field of digital forensics. The results show that the application of ethical principles, such as integrity, objectivity, independence, accountability, professional competence, confidentiality, and maintaining the chain of custody, is a fundamental factor in ensuring the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of electronic evidence. Conversely, violations of these principles have the potential to raise doubts about the authenticity of evidence, reduce its evidentiary value, and even cause evidence to be declared inadmissible in court. This research provides theoretical and practical contributions to the development of regulations and ethical guidelines for digital forensics to enhance the credibility of electronic evidence in the modern justice system.}