Blockchain-Based Forensic Investigation Metamodel (BBFIM) for Investigating IoT Cybercrimes
Daifallah Zaid Alotaibe · 2025
As smart devices are rapidly being developed, and people trust data transfer mechanisms such as Wi-Fi and the way they use them, as well as the fact that they rely heavily on data transfer mechanics, there has been an increase in cyber-attacks. Therefore, examining IoT safety threats and potential countermeasures can support investigators in determining how to deal with a range of stressful scenarios encountered when conducting cyber-crime studies to develop acceptable methods for dealing with them. The goal of this paper is to develop Blockchain-Based Forensic Investigation Metamodel for Investigating IoT Cybercrimes called (BBFIM). The purpose of the developed BBFIM is to improve the productivity and accuracy of examinations by providing a safe and decentralized environment where digital evidence, related to IoT-related crimes, can be stored, and analyzed to improve the productivity and accuracy of examinations. Through the integration of blockchain technologies the developed BBFIM ensures that the reliability of the evidence is retained throughout the investigation. It also provides transparency throughout the process. This study utilizes design science methods for development and validation purposes. Therefore, 889 IoT forensic models and frameworks have been reviewed in this study, and 15 models have been selected to develop the BBFIM. The developed BBFIM consists of three main IoT forensic practices: Forensic investigation phases, Forensic Tools and Techniques, and Blockchain Infrastructure. Compared to the existing IoT forensics models the developed BBFIM is fully decentralized which can guarantee the authority, consistency, and privacy of the data.