Normative Recognition and Procedural Reality: The Legality of Digital Data in Polri Investigations
Polda Sulawesi Utara
Universitas Bhayangkara Surabaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56943/jlte.v5i1.1111The rapid development of information technology has shifted criminal activities into digital environments, making digital data a crucial source of evidence for the Indonesian National Police (Polri). This study aims to analyze the legality of digital data as evidence in criminal investigations under Law Number 20 of 2025, the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, and modern evidence law. It addresses the juridical challenges regarding privacy protection, due process, and legal certainty during digital investigations. This research employs a normative legal method with statutory, conceptual, and analytical approaches. The findings indicate that the explicit recognition of electronic evidence under the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code provides greater legal certainty than the previous framework. However, its implementation still faces significant challenges, namely formal and substantive legality, chain of custody standards, digital forensic procedures, privacy protection, and judicial oversight. The novelty of this study lies in its systematic effort to connect the normative recognition of electronic evidence, the legality of digital investigative measures, and the protection of privacy within a single analytical framework. Therefore, improving implementing regulations, strengthening investigators' digital forensic capacity, and establishing effective oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure that digital evidence supports legal certainty, justice, and the protection of human rights.
Keywords: Criminal Investigation Digital Evidence Digital Forensics Due Process Electronic Evidence
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