Electronic Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Legal Regulation and Development Prospects

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of electronic evidence in the criminal proceedings of the Russian Federation in the context of rapid digitalization of society. The article examines the doctrinal approaches to the defi nition of electronic evidence, reveals the lack of a unifi ed scientifi c position and the normative consolidation of key concepts, which leads to contradictions in law enforcement practice. Special attention is paid to the analysis of court decisions of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which refl ect the issues of admissibility, authenticity, integrity, and procedural regime of digital data. The article highlights the signifi cant challenges associated with the seizure of electronic media, the need for expert assistance, and the balance between the effectiveness of investigations and the protection of individual constitutional rights. It provides a comparative legal analysis of foreign practices, demonstrating more fl exible and adaptive approaches to the use of digital evidence. The article argues for the need for legislative reforms, including the defi nition of electronic evidence, the development of specifi c investigative procedures, and the establishment of uniform standards for the capture and verifi cation of digital information.