The concept of digital criminalistics and its place in the system of criminalistics

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of digital criminalistics and determining its place in the system of domestic forensic science. As criminals increasingly use the means of Information Computer Technologies for their illegal purposes, this encourages the scientific community to step up in the fight against these criminal offenses. Therefore, scientists pay considerable attention to the creation of modern tools and methods for investigating certain illegal acts, which in turn contributes to the emergence of a new direction — digital criminalistics. The article analyzes the opinions of domestic criminologists regarding the definition, role and place of digital criminalistics. Approaches to defining digital criminalistics as an Applied Science, a forensic branch, a separate section, and a branch of forensic technology are studied. It is noted that if we consider digital criminalistics as an applied science, then its content is narrowed to a purely practical component, and the theoretical part remains ignored. Defining digital criminalistics as a branch of Criminalistics, scientists do not specify the corresponding section to which it belongs. The classification of digital criminalistics as forensic technology corresponds to modern realities, since it is necessary to improve technical means and methods for the search, seizure and research of digital evidence. However, it is worth noting that the essence of digital criminalistics is much broader than the study of it as a separate branch of forensic technology. It is noted that the subject of digital criminalistics can be considered patterns of detection, recording, seizure, storage, research, evaluation and use of electronic evidence in criminal offenses committed using information computer technologies for the purpose of preventing and investigating these illegal acts. But the object of digital criminalistics is legal relations that arise during the investigation of criminal offenses committed using information computer technologies. It is stated that digital criminalistics should contribute not only to the detection, recording, seizure, storage, research, evaluation and use of electronic evidence, but also to investigate the use of artificial intelligence in both criminal and law enforcement activities, provide recommendations for the detection, investigation and prevention of criminal offenses committed using information computer technologies.