Keyword: «modern investigative methods»

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of modern methods of digital forensics, formed in response to the key technological challenges of the period 2020-2024, and the systemic problems of their integration into the criminal process. The purpose of the study is to identify contradictions between the rapidly developing technical arsenal of the investigation and the conservative norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation governing the admissibility and reliability of evidence. As a result, it was found that new types of digital data – cloud, network, and blockchain records – do not have adequate procedural consolidation, which creates risks of recognizing them as unacceptable. The key problems are the inconsistency of seizure procedures, the complexity of ensuring integrity, and the court's assessment of complex algorithmic techniques. In conclusion, the author substantiates the need for a systematic modernization of legislation through the introduction of the concept of "digital evidence", the regulation of special procedures and the improvement of digital literacy of law enforcement officers to effectively use the potential of digital forensics in the fight against crime.