Digital personal profile as an element of the information and technological strategy of crime investigation

Introduction: the article examines how the ongoing digital transformation of society is manifested in the field of criminal procedure relations, digitalization of forensic activities. The authors substantiate the prospective possibilities of detecting and investigating crimes using the digital profile of an individual. The digital profile consists of the registration data of subjects and objects in the digital system of legal relations, biometric personal data, digital identifiers of the individual and the terminal equipment, information systems, computer networks. The paper analyzes the evolution of the concepts ‘profile,’ ‘profiling,’ ‘digital profile’ and their use in the context of crime detection and investigation. The authors offer a classification of identifiers that constitute the methodological, informational, technological basis of the digital profile. The study shows the significance of electronic interaction of investigation bodies with the subjects of information technology systems in obtaining evidentiary information concerning pre-criminal, criminal, and post-criminal information about the person who has committed a crime based on the digital profile data. Purpose: in the context of information society and widespread dissemination of digital information about life and legally significant actions of a person, investigating authorities should use the scientific organization of labor in collecting evidentiary information in criminal cases. The paper aims to substantiate the special role of the digital profile as ensuring a change in the paradigm of proof, as accelerating the formation of a modern informationtechnological strategy of investigation and introduction of electronic evidence and electronic document management in criminal proceedings. Methods: general scientific methods (dialectic, analysis and synthesis, abstraction and concretization) and special scientific methods (comparative- legal, technical-legal). Results: the authors have analyzed the existing information legislation, the positions of scientists on the potential of digital technologies, information systems, computer networks, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and neural networks. The analysis indicates the need to optimize the practice of proving in criminal cases using digital profiles and modern information infrastructure, i.e. the need to switch to a new informationtechnological strategy of crime investigation. The paper offers a new approach to the electronic interaction of the preliminary investigation bodies with the subjects of information technology systems aimed at creating a ‘search’ portrait of a suspect by obtaining digital data about the person and the circumstances of the crime. Conclusions: it is necessary to develop a new investigation strategy as preliminary investigation requires modernization based on the information and technological development of society. The archaic forms and methods of gathering evidence do not correspond to the principles of scientific organization of criminal procedure with regard to collection of evidence already accumulated in the modern infrastructure of all video surveillance systems, databases, cellular networks, banking, payment, and other information systems. The experience of other states shows that the use of the results of criminal intelligence operations organized in a new way, the introduction of electronic document management and online interaction with subjects of information technology systems can dramatically optimize preliminary investigation.