Investigative actions in terms of digitalization of criminal proceedings

The purpose of the research. The article discusses the ways to improve the methods of obtaining and securing forensic evidence in the process of digitalization of pre-trial proceedings in criminal cases. The modernization of pre-trial criminal proceedings is impossible without the adaptation of procedural means of obtaining and securing evidence to the new digital reality. The authors criticize the opinions about the ineffectiveness of the preliminary investigation and existing investigative actions, including investigating "computer" crimes, and the need to replace them with universal "obtaining digital information" expressed in criminal procedural science. However, examining the influence of modern computer technologies on the investigative actions in which they are applied, the authors note both the expansion of opportunities and the "blurring" of the established procedural forms. Another paradox is also interesting: all the emerging technical possibilities of obtaining new information organically "fit" into the existing system of investigative actions, and, contrary to expectations, do not lead to the emergence of new ones. The set of methods for obtaining evidence provided for by the Criminal-Procedural Codex is highly adaptable to new conditions, since it includes all the possibilities available for this. It follows from this that the digital modernization of the institutions of evidence should be aimed not at the means of procedural knowledge, but at the means of procedural consolidation of the course and results of investigative actions, where all routine operations requiring renewal are concentrated. Replacing the protocol-written procedure for securing evidence with the use of modern technical means will require the development of additional rules for their application, which, after being enshrined in the law, will become a new procedural form. In combination with computer data processing technologies, this will lead to the emergence of new models of investigative activities and processes of obtaining evidence, i.e. to the third stage of digitalization of pre-trial criminal proceedings.

pre-trial proceedings, procedural form, criminal procedure, digitalization, digital technologies