The internet and its facility for criminality: some unique difficulties for investigation and prosecution

Abstract

This study examines critically the nature of the Internet in relation to its facility for committing crimes. It discovers that the Internet is open, user-controlled, global, decentralized, inexpensive, abundant, interactive, and makes use of independent infrastructure. All these features are combined to form the medium’s transnational nature that challenges ordinary traditional regulatory platforms. It is also found that with increasing over dependence on computer systems within the global Internet network, the incidence of cyber criminality is significantly on the rise. Yet, the processes of investigation and prosecution of suspects are greatly hindered as a result of the amoeboid nature of cyberspace which makes it difficult to locate suspects and their conducts. The paper advocates progress in more sophisticated technology that would aid easy identification of suspects, constant review of cyber laws, and increased public enlightenment on the operations of the Internet. Doctrinal and critical approaches were employed in the study.

Key words: The Internet, Cyber criminality, Investigation, Prosecution, Jurisprudence, Cyber Law