Digital footprints and evidence: the need for a theoretical and normative definition in the context of digitalization

Introduction: the paper analyzes the scientific positions of understanding footprints and evidence processed exclusively in digital form, their nature, and their relationship with generally accepted categories. The current discussion allows for developing a unified approach to understanding the nature of digital footprints and their interpretation in the science of criminalistics, criminal procedure, and other branches of legal science. The study aims to examine the most influential scientific perspectives on comprehending the fundamental nature of digital footprints and evidence, with the goal of subsequently incorporating these understandings into the criminal law sciences and legislation. The author analyzes the controversial issues of the nature of digital footprints and evidence, clarifies some judgments, and identifies potential solutions.