Poster #195 - Social Media Evidence in the Courtroom: Towards an Interdisciplinary Consensus

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

While courts increasingly accept online content as evidence, procedural inconsistencies and the absence of forensic standards raise concerns about evidentiary integrity.
In many jurisdictions, social media evidence is routinely presented as screenshots or basic printouts, often without authentication, metadata preservation, or adherence to chain of custody protocols. This practice diverges from established principles of digital forensics, potentially undermining the reliability of judicial outcomes. A significant gap exists between legal practitioners, who prioritize procedural admissibility and pragmatic case management, and forensic digital experts, who emphasize the necessity of rigorous validation methods. The core issue, however, is the absence of a standardized approach, leaving legal actors to rely on ad hoc practices that may not align with forensic best practices.
This poster presentation outlines a research agenda aimed at bridging the gap between legal admissibility and forensic reliability. Using qualitative research methods, including case law analysis and expert interviews, this study investigates inconsistencies in current evidentiary practices and explores pathways toward interdisciplinary consensus. The findings aim to inform policymakers, legal practitioners, and forensic experts about the risks of current practices and the pressing need for harmonized guidelines on handling social media evidence in criminal proceedings.

Author

• Piotr Lewulis, University of Warsaw