Juvenile Delinquency and the Role of Digital Evidence in Bangladesh: Challenges, Legal Framework, and Policy Implications

Abstract

This thesis examines the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency in Bangladesh with a particular focus on the role and application of digital evidence in legal proceedings. It investigates how the legal system addresses crimes committed by juveniles, the challenges associated with collecting, preserving, and presenting digital evidence, and the implications for justice and rehabilitation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with legal experts, law enforcement officials, and stakeholders, along withquantitative analysis of relevant case data. Key findings reveal gaps in the current legal framework, limited technological resources, and insufficient training for handling digital evidence in cases involving juveniles. These challenges affect both the efficiency of investigations and the protection of juveniles’ rights under existing laws. Based on the analysis, the thesis offers recommendations to strengthen the legal and procedural mechanisms, improve digital forensic capacity, and promote collaboration among law enforcement agencies, courts, and policymakers. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on juvenile justice reform in Bangladesh and the effective integration of digital evidence into the judicial process.