Blockchain in Criminal Investigations

Abstract

Blockchain technology is a groundbreaking decentralized electronic registry that captures transactions and data on a network of computers in an insecure, transparent and tamper-proof context. At its most fundamental level, blockchain systematizes the information framed into blocks and each block includes a list of transactions or documents, a timestamp and a cryptographical hash connecting it to the last block creating an immutable chronological chain. In contrast with the conventional and centralized databases, which are managed by one party, blockchain runs on a distributed system of nodes where each one of them keeps an identical copy of the registry. This architecture ensures elimination of single points of failure and improves on the use of intermediaries. Consensus mechanisms, like Proof-of-Work or Proof-of-Stake, are used to authenticate transactions and provide agreement among participants prior to the addition of new blocks. This chapter explores the use of blockchain technologies in scientific criminal investigations.