An Enhanced digital investigation approach for verification of an offense under Pakistan cyber crime law-2016

Abstract

Due to lack of awareness on ethical use of cyberspace, knowledge of what actions constitute cybercrimes under the law and non-familiarity of digital rights, casual and careless netizens may get caught up in an offensive act unintentionally which is governed as a criminal offense with serious repercussions under the application of law. This can lead to innocent Pakistani netizens being implicated for offenses they did not have due awareness of or harmful intention to commit. Pakistan cybercrime law also known as Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has been passed on 11th Aug, 2016. [1] The current enforcement mechanism has certain inconsistencies that need to be addressed. The law details offences and their due punishments but does not detail proper methodology to provide evidence for verification of an electronic crime. This calls for a procedural digital investigation mechanism before arresting or prosecuting anybody in court of law. A cybercrime once reported to the delegated authority should lead to a proper forensic investigation process that point towards sufficient incriminating evidence to enforce the punishments relating to that offense under the law. The aim of this research is to provide a verification mechanism under the cybercrime law to verify the suspect offender of a reported crime via an authentic and systematic forensic investigation approach that aptly correlates with International best practices in a Digital Forensic Investigation.