Digital forensics and legal communication: network analysis of law enforcement response to viral youth violence cases in Indonesia

Abstract

The viral spread of youth violence content on social media platforms has created unprecedented challenges for law enforcement agencies in Indonesia, requiring rapid response mechanisms that balance digital evidence integrity with public communication needs. As digital platforms become primary sources of information about criminal incidents, law enforcement agencies must navigate complex tensions between transparency, accountability, and operational security. This study examines how law enforcement agencies communicate and coordinate during viral youth violence cases, analyzing the effectiveness of digital forensics communication networks and their impact on case outcomes. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining Social Network Analysis (SNA) of official communications, content analysis of law enforcement statements, and case study methodology focusing on three landmark cases from 2022-2024. Data sources included official social media accounts, press releases, court documents, and semi-structured interviews with 15 law enforcement officials. Our analysis revealed three distinct communication patterns: (1) Reactive Crisis Communication (72% of initial responses), (2) Proactive Information Management (23%), and (3) Strategic Digital Evidence Protection (5%). Network centrality measures showed that Metropolitan Police social media accounts served as primary information hubs (betweenness centrality = 0.847), while coordination between agencies remained fragmented (network density = 0.23). Law enforcement agencies demonstrated varying levels of digital communication competency, with successful cases characterized by early coordination, transparent evidence-based communication, and strategic social media engagement. The findings suggest the need for standardized digital forensics communication protocols and enhanced inter-agency coordination mechanisms, with particular attention to cultural adaptation in Indonesian contexts.

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