Abstract
Digital forensics is an emerging research field involving critical technologies for obtaining evidence in digital crime investigations. Several methodologies, tools, and techniques have been developed to deal with the acquisition, preservation, examination, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence from different sources. However, new emerging infrastructures such as service-oriented architecture has brought new serious challenges for digital forensic research to ensure that evidence will be neutral, comprehensive, and reliable in such complex environment is a challenging research task. To address this issue, the authors propose in this article a generic conceptual model for digital forensics methodologies to enable their application in a service-oriented architecture. Challenges and requirements to construct a forensically sound evidence management framework for these environments are also discussed. Finally, the authors show how digital forensics standards and recommendations can be mapped to service-oriented architecture.