Cyber Crime:A Challenge to Forensic Science

Information technology represents the fourth generation of human communication after sight, oral and written communication. With the advent of this technology the landscape has dramatically changed. In the latter of half of the twentieth century, computers became very popular and proliferated into all sectors of the economy, such as banks, industry, commerce, police, military, scientific research, health and other governmental agencies. Computers not only facilitate smooth, efficient and quick functioning in the organization but also store vital information whose value cannot be truly estimated. Explosive growth of the internet, e-commerce and personal computing has given rise to different types of cyber crimes. The security concerns and computer abuse, the side effects of this technology, have moved to the forefront of the consciousness of law enforcement agencies. The laws, which were made for the written language will now have to be changed to suit the digital language. The present paper reviews challenges faced by forensic science.