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Blockchain-based vs. SQL Database Systems for Digital Twin Evidence Management: A Comparative Forensic Analysis

Boyd Franken, Hong-Hanh Nguyen-Le, Nhien-An Le-Khac

TL;DR

This paper addresses how to manage digital-twin forensic evidence by comparing blockchain-based (private Ethereum with IPFS) and traditional SQL database approaches. It employs a controlled, two-environment methodology with MD5 hash verification and a web A-Frame interface to measure storage (POST) and retrieval (GET) performance for files from 1 MB to 200 MB, plus forensic integrity assessments. Key findings show blockchain/IPFS provides stronger data integrity and faster storage, while SQL offers more consistent retrieval performance; hash verification confirms integrity in both, with blockchain offering higher security guarantees. The work informs practitioners about the performance-integrity trade-offs in metaverse-era forensic workflows and points to hybrid designs that combine storage efficiency with immutable provenance.

Abstract

Digital forensics faces unprecedented challenges with the emergence of digital twins and metaverse technologies. This paper presents the first comparative analysis between blockchain-based and traditional database systems for managing digital twin evidence in forensic investigations. We conducted controlled experiments comparing the Ethereum blockchain with IPFS storage against traditional SQL databases for digital twin evidence management. Our findings reveal that while blockchain provides superior data integrity and immutability, crucial for forensic applications, traditional databases offer better performance consistency. The blockchain implementation showed faster average storage times but higher variability in retrieval operations. Both systems maintained forensic integrity through hash verification, though blockchain's immutable nature provides additional security guarantees essential for legal proceedings. This research contributes to the development of robust digital forensic methodologies for emerging technologies in the metaverse era.

Blockchain-based vs. SQL Database Systems for Digital Twin Evidence Management: A Comparative Forensic Analysis

TL;DR

This paper addresses how to manage digital-twin forensic evidence by comparing blockchain-based (private Ethereum with IPFS) and traditional SQL database approaches. It employs a controlled, two-environment methodology with MD5 hash verification and a web A-Frame interface to measure storage (POST) and retrieval (GET) performance for files from 1 MB to 200 MB, plus forensic integrity assessments. Key findings show blockchain/IPFS provides stronger data integrity and faster storage, while SQL offers more consistent retrieval performance; hash verification confirms integrity in both, with blockchain offering higher security guarantees. The work informs practitioners about the performance-integrity trade-offs in metaverse-era forensic workflows and points to hybrid designs that combine storage efficiency with immutable provenance.

Abstract

Digital forensics faces unprecedented challenges with the emergence of digital twins and metaverse technologies. This paper presents the first comparative analysis between blockchain-based and traditional database systems for managing digital twin evidence in forensic investigations. We conducted controlled experiments comparing the Ethereum blockchain with IPFS storage against traditional SQL databases for digital twin evidence management. Our findings reveal that while blockchain provides superior data integrity and immutability, crucial for forensic applications, traditional databases offer better performance consistency. The blockchain implementation showed faster average storage times but higher variability in retrieval operations. Both systems maintained forensic integrity through hash verification, though blockchain's immutable nature provides additional security guarantees essential for legal proceedings. This research contributes to the development of robust digital forensic methodologies for emerging technologies in the metaverse era.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 24 sections, 3 equations, 4 figures, 3 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Works
  3. Blockchain in Digital Forensics
  4. Applications of Digital Twins
  5. Metaverse Digital Forensics
  6. Problem Statement and Forensic Approach
  7. Motivations
  8. Forensic Methodology
  9. Controlled Environments Implementation.
  10. Storage and Retrieval Processes.
  11. Web Interface and Visualization Framework.
  12. Experiments
  13. Tools
  14. Datasets
  15. Configuration for Storage and Retrieval Operations
  16. ...and 9 more sections

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: Flow chart of adopted forensic approach.
  • Figure 2: An example of the retrieved digital twin in the web application.
  • Figure 3: Comparison of storage and retrieval operations of blockchain-based and SQL database systems.
  • Figure 4: Scatter plots of times spent for storage and retrieval operations of lockchain-based and SQL database systems.