Investigating Cybercrime: The Key Jurisdictional and Technical Challenges Faced by Law Enforcement and Ways to Address Them

The rapid expansion of cyberspace has created significant opportunities but also introduced new threats in the form of cybercrimes. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly challenged in investigating these crimes due to the complex, transnational nature of the internet. This paper examines the key jurisdictional and technical obstacles that hinder effective cybercrime investigations and explores strategies to overcome these challenges. Jurisdictional challenges primarily arise from the global nature of cybercrimes. Disparate legal frameworks, conflicting international laws, and limited cooperation between countries further complicate the ability of agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders. On the technical front, cybercrimes often exploit sophisticated technologies that evolve faster than the capabilities of law enforcement agencies. Encryption, anonymisation tools, and the use of dark web platforms make it increasingly difficult for investigators to track cybercriminals, especially given the limitations of their forensic tools and training. Having established the challenges, the article discusses some approaches to reform and suggests a multifaceted approach to improving cybercrime investigations combining investing in advanced training, better resource allocation, and public– private partnerships to enhance investigative capabilities, while also supporting the existing calls for legal harmonisation.