A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF DIGITAL FORENSIC INVESTIGATION METHODOLOGIES: TRENDS, FRAMEWORKS, TECHNIQUES, CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND OPEN ISSUES

Abstract

Digital forensics, pivotal in cyber security, garners attention from researchers and practitioners due to the escalating complexity of modern cyber-attacks. The need for multiple technologies in evidence acquisition amplifies this sophistication. Existing surveys delve into specific digital forensics domains,providing insights into individual advances. However, a global perspective is lacking. Addressing this, we conducted a qualitative review, synthesizing key topics and challenges from relevant digital forensics reviews. While diverse in topics and methods, common issues, primarily centered on evidence acquisition and pre-processing complexities, persist across domains. Our study extends beyond technical hurdles, shedding light on procedural concerns like readiness, reporting, presentation, and ethical considerations. This comprehensive analysis encourages collaboration among researchers and practitioners in various digital forensics domains. This systematic literature review utilizes the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to thoroughly investigate Digital Forensic Investigation Methodologies. The exploration covers prominent journal libraries, including IEEE, ACM Library, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Science Direct, and Springer Link, with a focus on trends, frameworks, techniques, challenges, solutions, and open issues. Starting with an initial dataset of 505 papers, a rigorous application of the PRISMA method led to the meticulous selection of 60 papers deemed most pertinent for the review.