The different methods used by the Clarus project give researchers a fuller and more realistic picture of how digital evidence is handled in real working environments.  

The policing and forensic systems across Europe are shaped by rules, but also by habits, pressures, relationships, expertise, and communication. In other words, if we want to understand the journey of digital evidence, we need to look at both the formal workflow and the human practices that support it.  

Formal protocols and operating procedures are designed and well-placed to safeguard the authenticity and integrity of evidence and minimise biases in all national systems.  

International standards and best-practice frameworks emphasise the importance of impartiality, documentation, confidentiality, and evidence integrity in forensic practice. For example, ISO/IEC 17020 sets requirements for the competence and impartiality of inspection bodies, while ISO/IEC 27037 and ISO/IEC 27043 provide guidance specifically for the handling and investigation of digital evidence. 

OPTIONAL LEARNING: Read more about the policy changes the Clarus project has suggested based on the research work.

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