Safeguarding the evidential value of forensic cryptocurrency investigations

Rückert C, Fröwis M, Gottschalk T, Haslhofer B, Pesch PJ (2020)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Online publication

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation Elsevier

Book Volume: 32

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsidi.2019.200902

Abstract

Analyzing cryptocurrency payment flows has become a key forensic method in law enforcement and is nowadays used to investigate a wide spectrum of criminal activities. However, despite its widespread adoption, the evidential value of obtained findings in court is still largely unclear. In this paper, we focus on the key ingredients of modern cryptocurrency analytics techniques, which are clustering heuristics and attribution tags. We identify internationally accepted standards and rules for substantiating suspicions and providing evidence in court and project them onto current cryptocurrency forensics practices. By providing an empirical analysis of CoinJoin transactions, we illustrate possible sources of misinterpretation in algorithmic clustering heuristics. Eventually, we derive a set of legal key requirements and translate them into a technical data sharing framework that fosters compliance with existing legal and technical standards in the realm of cryptocurrency forensics. Integrating the proposed framework in modern cryptocurrency analytics tools could allow more efficient and effective investigations, while safeguarding the evidential value of the analysis and the fundamental rights of affected persons.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christian Rückert Lehrstuhl für Strafrecht, Strafprozessrecht, Internationales Strafrecht und Völkerrecht Paulina Pesch

Related research project(s)

Cyberkriminalität und forensische Informatik (Cybercrime) Oct. 1, 2019 - March 31, 2024 Discourses and Practices of a "Digital Sovereignty" March 1, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2022

Involved external institutions

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Germany (DE) Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck / University of Innsbruck

Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Rückert, C., Fröwis, M., Gottschalk, T., Haslhofer, B., & Pesch, P.J. (2020). Safeguarding the evidential value of forensic cryptocurrency investigations. Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsidi.2019.200902

MLA:

Rückert, Christian, et al. "Safeguarding the evidential value of forensic cryptocurrency investigations." Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation 32 (2020).

BibTeX: Download