![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdhiZLvDsL5gMWdegMxcsSxAFdHtDJNJp4yp55W78cmNU/a.jpg)![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcutaafw66n15uTwtBcwtBdLLWQY1RFCVxYEJqxwoqAMZ/18.jpg)


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## Introduction

Crime is a global problem. It happens everywhere no matter how secure or advanced our society looks. The more technology enhances our daily lives, the more criminals adopt technology for crime. Unfortunately, many crimes take so much time or never really gets solved.

Our current systems for deciphering crime have not really been the most effective. It is quite sad to see that crime continues to increase by the day because criminals somehow find a way to evade the criminal justice system. In various ways, [web3](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-web-3-0) features could be used to solve crime and improve the way our judicial systems handle crime. In this article, I want focus on one aspect of [blockchain](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/blockchain) that could be crucial to solving crime - blockchain immutability.
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcutaafw66n15uTwtBcwtBdLLWQY1RFCVxYEJqxwoqAMZ/18.jpg)

## Blockchain immutability and solving crime

When data is stored on the blockchain, it cannot be deleted, changed or modified in any manner. Blockchain technology retains data stored in its original form, making it impossible to be altered. This feature could contribute so much in how crime is reported and data from criminal proceedings are handled.

Consider some of the challenges of handling data related to crime and home blockchain immutability happens to be the solution.

#### Challenge 1: Identity fraud:

One of the most common types of fraud in our society today is identity fraud. Criminals steal legally identifying documents of unsuspecting victims and try to create a fake copy from them for the sake of committing crimes with them. in the travel sector for example, users present fake travel Visas and other documents forged from the originals.

The banking system is filled with many fake [transactions](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-transaction) that are initiated using forged identification documents. Criminals use them to steal money from victims such us fraudulent card transactions, withdrawals and transfers. There are many other instances where criminals steal identities and perform banking transactions with them.

#### Solution: Blockchain Immutability for Identity verification

Because blockchain data cannot be modified in any manner, it is possible then to use it and create systems for managing records and other original documents. One of the systems that could be created is a blockchain-based identity management system. Instead of using traditional digital ID's, a blockchain solution would ensure that identification documents are stored on the blockchain where there is no possibility of altering them by anyone.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmTv8UXsxSNDaXGLfxoZR3YrwwKEhvbucKMNMY6rmqVArM/image.png)

A blockchain [database](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-database) of ID documents would be a sure-proof for preventing forgery and faking of such original documents. The users each would have their private and public keys. The public keys or tokens could be issued to any organization or authorities that want tp verify their identity. This way, the original identification documents would be secure from identity theft. This would be an innovative way to use the blockchain to stop crimes before they happen, or make them very difficult to happen

#### Challenge 2: Storing digital evidence

In today's criminal justice systems, sometimes digital evidence is required to prove that crime happened. When this digital evidence is not sufficiently secured, it could get into the wrong hands or be tampered in one way or another. The worst is that a digital evidence could also be lost, making it almost impossible to solve crime.

Storing digital evidence offline could be dangerous. Those involved in crime always does their best to destroy any trace of their activities. So with an offline storage, criminals might make big attempts to destroy such evidence and make it difficult to identify them. So trying to store digital evidence offline such as by using computer hard drives, memory cards or other electronic devices make put such digital evidence at risks of manipulation.

Sometimes, the authorities try to secure digital evidence by storing such data online. While this might sound like a great idea, it is prone to risks. Cloud servers managed by organizations are often prone to hacking. A hardened criminal might make sustained efforts to hack into a system containing digital evidence. When they succeed, it could lead to loss of vital evidence needed to solve a crime.

Even if the system was not hacked, corrupt officials can collude with criminals to destroy evidence stored in an online server. Such internal tampering would really change the progress or direction of a criminal case. It might even hinder any successes recorded in trying to solve a crime.

#### Solution: Blockchain decentralization and security protects digital evidence

Blockchain technology is one of the most secure infrastructure for the storage of sensitive data like digital evidence. Blockchain technology makes use of [cryptography]() which secures data and only allows the user access through private keys. The private key gives full ownership, access and control of the stored data to the person with the key. When combined with the [immutable](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-immutable) nature of blockchains, that would make it very difficult for unauthorized persons to access digital evidence on the blockchain.

Another aspect or feature of blockchains is that they are decentralized. [Data](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-data) stored on the blockchain is not under the control of any central body. The blockchain uses a distributed system of nodes to store and share data. This ensures that is it not so easy to destroy digital evidence stored on the blockchain. There would never be a single point of failure on the blockchain. That entirely rules out a an official becoming corrupt and conspiring with a criminal to destroy digital evidence stored on the blockchain. This would be entirely not possible because of how decentralized blockchains are.
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcutaafw66n15uTwtBcwtBdLLWQY1RFCVxYEJqxwoqAMZ/18.jpg)

## Finally

Crime continues to be on the increase and happens everywhere because crime solvers are adopting a business-as-usual approach. The criminal tries to destroy evidence and make it hard to figure out what happened. But blockchain technology could be used to store data in an immutable fashion, practically making it difficult to alter or manipulate it.

Decentralized storage of the blockchain and [crypto](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/cryptocurrency) also ensures that no single individual in the criminal justice system would be able to tamper with digital evidence. Instead, all such data stored on the blockchain would be tamper-proof.

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#### Credits

[Thumbnail from Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/man-silhouette-businessman-escape-1675685/)

[Image 2 from Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/blockchain-block-chain-technology-3019120/)



Posted Using [InLeo Alpha](https://leofinance.io/@fokusnow/utilizing-blockchain-immutability-and-security-to-solve-crime)