The importance of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings

The development of digital technologies contributes to the change of criminal procedural relations and the emergence of electronic evidence used in the proof process. The author’s position is formulated based on the results of the analysis of theoretical approaches in criminal procedure science to the definition of the concept of “electronic evidence”. Arguments are presented confirming the need to use electronic evidence in criminal proceedings in order to overcome the risks associated with the realization of the rights and legitimate interests of participants in a criminal case, the preservation of evidence in case of their referral to the place of investigation, destruction or modification in case of counteraction to the investigation. The article reveals the importance of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings. Based on the analysis of the norms of criminal procedure legislation and law enforcement practice, the factors that determine the increasing importance of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings are substantiated.