A legal and forensic science approach to the relationship between digital evidence collection and analyss and personal data

Developing technology not only serves social purposes but also increases the variety of crimes, leading to the emergence of new types of crimes and changes in the way some crimes are committed. Technological tools, which can be used either directly or indirectly as a means in the commission of crimes defined in criminal codes, are also used as electronic evidence obtained from computers and information systems in criminal proceedings. It is important that technical issues related to the preservation of evidence integrity be identified by forensic experts through forensic processes during the collection of such evidence. The data contained in digital evidence can sometimes define incidents where other sources of information are present. In this context, there is growing concern about the potential for privacy violations and the inability to ensure the security of personal data during the collection and analysis of digital evidence. Indeed, the protection of privacy and personal data is a matter that must be handled with sensitivity during digital evidence collection and analysis. In this thesis, the phases of digital evidence collection and analysis will be examined in relation to the protection of personal data and privacy. The study aims to contribute to the literature within the scope of forensic science and legal regulations by deeply analyzing how the issue is addressed in practice in conjunction with the regulations in the Turkish legal system, as well as by conducting interviews with the actors involved in the process to explore the challenges encountered in practice. Keywords: Digital Evidence, Forensic Science, Personal Data Protection.