Digital traces: concept, role, and significance in modern forensic science

The subject of the research is the signs, methods of fixation and analysis of digital traces, as well as their role in solving crimes in the context of modern forensic practice. The purpose of the study is to systematize theoretical representations of digital traces and their features, as well as to consider them as an independent class of forensically significant objects capable of significantly increasing the reliability and completeness of the evidentiary base in the investigation of crimes. The article analyzes scholars' opinions regarding the concept of a digital trace, examines the signs and characteristics of digital traces, and proposes an author's definition of a digital trace based on the synthesis of the discussed data. Emphasis is placed on the possibilities of using digital traces to enhance the effectiveness of solving and investigating crimes. Special attention is given to the issues of collecting and evaluating digital traces, as well as their role in establishing the intent of criminal activity. The research methodology is based on fundamental scientific principles of dialectics, historicism, and objectivity. General scientific methods such as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction are applied. Additionally, specific scientific methods are used, including systemic and structural-functional analysis, as well as the formal-legal method. The modeling method was applied to explore the possibilities of using digital traces. The relevance is justified by the fact that, in the context of rapid digitalization of society, digital traces become not just an additional, but often the primary source of evidence in investigating a wide range of crimes. Modern technologies leave extensive informational traces that may contain key information about the time, place, and circumstances of the crime. As a result of the study, the concept of a digital trace was examined, the signs of digital traces were studied both in terms of unique properties and properties characteristic of all trace complexes. It is concluded that digital traces play a key role in reconstructing the events of a crime and can serve as crucial evidence in the investigated case. The research demonstrates that the proper conduct of activities related to the collection, fixation, and seizure of digital traces directly affects the reliability and completeness of the obtained data. It is concluded that the analysis of digital traces allows not only the establishment of the factual circumstances of the crime but also the identification of hidden motives for its commission.