Keywords
forensic science
criminal proceedings
digital evidence
computer forensic examination
electronic traces
How to Cite
Abstract
The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of digital forensics as an independent direction in the development of forensic expert activity in criminal proceedings under conditions of rapid digitalization of society and the transformation of crime. It is substantiated that the current stage of information technology development is accompanied by a significant increase in cybercrime, as well as the growing complexity of its commission, which actualizes the need to improve the tools for handling digital evidence.
Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of scientific approaches to defining the essence of digital forensics, its place within the system of criminalistics as a science and within forensic science. The aim of the study is to examine digital forensics as an interdisciplinary field that combines methods of criminalistics, information technology, and the theory of evidence, as well as to identify the main subfields of digital forensics, including computer, network, mobile, cloud, and cryptocurrency forensics.
The methodological basis of the research includes general scientific and special methods, in particular formal-logical, system-structural, comparative-legal methods, as well as methods of analysis and generalization of scientific sources and forensic practice. This made it possible to comprehensively examine the legal and methodological aspects of the use of digital forensics as a component of the development of information support for forensic expertise.
The scientific novelty lies in identifying the key problems in the development of digital forensics in Ukraine, including insufficient legal regulation of the examination and use of digital evidence, inadequate technical and informational support of forensic institutions, and a short- age of qualified personnel. Particular attention is paid to the prospects of using artificial intelligence technologies in forensic activities, as well as to the related legal challenges.
The conclusions formulate proposals for improving legislation, in particular by introducing a separate chapter on digital evidence in criminal procedural law, updating the legal framework of forensic expert activity, and developing general forensic methodologies for conductingexaminations using digital technologies. The necessity of forming a unified methodology of digital forensics is substantiated, which will ensure the proper evidentiary value of digital evidence in criminal proceedings.
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