Digital evidence and the crime scene.

• This work presents a discussion of digital evidence and the crime scene. • The concept of devices as 'digital witnesses' is discussed. • Digital investigative opportunities are examined in order to support first responders. • Approaches to scene-processing are debated in regards to digital evidence. Many criminal investigations maintain an element of digital evidence, where it is the role of the first responder in many cases to both identify its presence at any crime scene, and assess its worth. Whilst in some instances the existence and role of a digital device at-scene may be obvious, in others, the first responder will be required to evaluate whether any 'digital opportunities' exist which could support their inquiry, and if so, where these are. This work discusses the potential presence of digital evidence at crime scenes, approaches to identifying it and the contexts in which it may exist, focusing on the investigative opportunities that devices may offer. The concept of digital devices acting as 'digital witnesses' is proposed, followed by an examination of potential 'digital crime scene' scenarios and strategies for processing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]