Formation of a new strategy for crime investigation in the era of digital transformation

Introduction: the traditional forms and methods of conducting preliminary investigation, gathering evidence do not correspond to the new conditions of digital transformation of modern society. The paper contains theoretical proposals for the optimization of preliminary investigation in the Russian Federation under the new data-centric conditions. It is proposed to change the information-technological and information-analytical support for crime investigation, to shift from documents to data, to simplify the procedural form of criminal proceedings establishing the written nature of the proceedings. The paper studies IT-innovations that can and should be introduced in pre-trial proceedings. It demonstrates the contradictions between modern technology-centered methods of recording evidentiary information and outdated written methods established in the criminal procedure code. The legal, technological and organizational aspects of the introduction of electronic document management in pre-trial proceedings are analyzed. Purpose: to develop an idea of the optimal model of IT-based preliminary investigation in the context of information society and total digital transformation, to deformalize the collection and recording of evidence, to introduce electronic document management. Methods: the methodological framework of the study is based on a set of methods of scientific cognition, with the dialectical method being the leading one. The article uses general scientific methods (dialectics, analysis and synthesis, abstraction and concretization) and specific scientific methods (comparative-legal, technical-legal). Results: the authors have analyzed IT-capabilities of digital platforms to establish their potential for improving the process of preliminary investigation and optimizing the proof of evidence practice based on the modern information infrastructure. The paper demonstrates a new approach to the interaction of the preliminary investigation bodies with the subjects of information technology systems to obtain digital data on the circumstances of the crimes committed. It is concluded that introduction of electronic document management allows for objective recording of evidentiary information and appears to be resource-saving. Conclusions: preliminary investigation requires modernization based on the information and technological development of society and the ongoing digital transformation in all areas of socio-economic life. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to develop a new investigation strategy comprising all the relevant aspects.