ENHANCING EVIDENTIARY INTEGRITY THROUGH BLOCKCHAIN FORENSICS AND AI DRIVEN DEEPFAKE DETECTION IN DIGITAL INVESTIGATIONS

As digital crimes grow in complexity, law enforcement and legal systems face increasing challenges in maintaining evidentiary integrity. Blockchain forensics has emerged as a powerful tool in tracking illicit cryptocurrency transactions, while deepfake detection technologies are vital in validating audiovisual evidence. This paper explores the integration of blockchain analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in digital forensics, examining both the technical evolution and practical implementation of these methods. Drawing from literature, it highlights the forensic, legal, and ethical frameworks required to ensure credibility in digital evidence. The paper advocates for proactive adoption of advanced detection technologies to safeguard justice in an era of algorithmic manipulation and decentralized finance.