ETSI has released TS 103 643, a new technical specification designed to ensure the integrity and origin of digital evidence used in legal proceedings. The standard addresses the growing reliance on digital materials like hard disk files and video footage by establishing robust techniques for preserving data against tampering and format obsolescence. It covers both human factors, such as technician training, and critical software components including the strength of algorithms and the secure handling of cryptographic hashes. This framework aims to provide courts with cost-effective assurance that digital evidence is reliable and will remain valid over time.
Keywords: digital evidence integrity, hash handling, software assurance, judicial scrutiny, ETSI TS 103 643