Classification of Electronic Documents as Sources of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings

The article is devoted to the study of existing types of classification of electronic documents as sources of evidence in criminal proceedings. The same classifications as for documents may be applied to electronic documents. Attention is drawn to the fact that electronic documents can be classified according to other specific criteria.

The division of electronic documents by stages of production is considered and the possibility of distinguishing between the original and the duplicate electronic document is substantiated. The division of electronic documents by a combination of metadata into peers; two-rank; three-level; four-rank, five-rank. According to access to information, metadata of electronic documents can be divided into open and hidden. Any user can receive open metadata, and hidden metadata can be obtained only after using special software. Electronic documents are divided according to the degree of protection into open and closed (use of electronic digital signature, passwords, etc.).Electronic documents are classified by source and it is established that files can be created by a user or a computer system depending on the settings of the software and hardware. Electronic documents can be classified according to their location: computer, smartphone, tablet, video camera, “smart” home appliances, Internet server are by nature types of computers. According to the form, electronic documents can be divided into video recordings, audio recordings, electronic messages, websites and information in electronic form.

Classification of electronic documents makes it possible to develop tactics for collecting, checking and evaluating electronic documents, to improve forensic methods of investigating crimes in which electronic documents are evidence.