Digital forensics has emerged as a critical field in the modern criminal justice system, evolving from its early focus on standalone and networked computers to encompass a wide array of digital devices. This paper explores the multifaceted role of digital forensics in investigating both cyber and traditional crimes. As technology has advanced, the scope of digital forensics has expanded, enabling the recovery and analysis of evidence from devices such as mobile phones, GPS systems, and car engine management systems. These advancements have allowed investigators to uncover detailed insights into suspects' movements and activities, which were previously inaccessible.This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the various branches of digital forensics, including network forensics, disk forensics, mobile device forensics, database forensics, printer forensics, digital music device forensics, scanner forensics, multimedia forensics, and memory forensics. Each branch focuses on a specific type of digital evidence, employing specialized techniques to collect, preserve, and analyze data.The literature review highlights the evolution of digital forensic practices, noting significant studies and advancements in the field. It underscores the growing recognition of the importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations and the ongoing need for updated tools and techniques to address the expanding range of digital devices.The paper also discusses the reasons for conducting digital forensic investigations, emphasizing their critical role in incident response, remediation activities, and tracking advanced persistent threats. The discussion extends to the emerging challenges in digital forensics, including the proliferation of digital devices and the increasing complexity of digital environments.By examining the standard operating procedures (SOP) for digital forensic investigations, this paper outlines the systematic approach required to ensure the integrity and reliability of digital evidence. It concludes with an exploration of the significant role digital forensics will continue to play in the criminal justice system, advocating for continuous advancements in forensic techniques and tools to keep pace with technological developments.