What does the term "digital evidence" refer to?

The term "digital evidence" specifically refers to information that is stored or transmitted in digital form. This type of evidence can include data found on computers, smartphones, the internet, and other digital devices. Digital evidence is crucial in forensic investigations as it can provide insights into criminal activities, communications, and the movement of individuals before, during, and after a crime.

In the context of criminal investigations, digital evidence is particularly valuable because it can be easily duplicated and often contains metadata that can help establish timelines, relationships, and behaviors. This type of evidence can range from emails and text messages to logs and files stored in the cloud, and it is processed using various forensic tools and techniques to ensure its integrity and admissibility in a court of law.

The other options relate to forms of evidence that are not classified as "digital." Physical objects found at a crime scene are tangible artifacts. Eyewitness accounts provide personal testimonies and observations, while legal documentation pertains to the paper trail of a case, none of which fall under the definition of digital evidence.