RESEARCH ON COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS IN INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES RELATED TO ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES OR THEIR ANALOGUES

Abstract

This article outlines current issues of research on computer traces in the investigation of crimes at the stage of pre-trial investigation related to illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues. The main ways of conducting drug trafficking in Ukraine using modern information technologies, that is, using computer technology (mostly mobile devices, personal portable computers) and software products (programs for communicating by means of calls and messages through the Internet, Web browsers, etc.) on the World Wide Web are analyzed. Based on the analysis of research and publications of scientists as well as on the basis of empirical research during computer forensic investigations connected with investigation of illegal distribution of narcotic drugs, methods of illicit goods distribution on the Internet along with methods for investigating computer technologies, which directly relate to drug trafficking using modern information technologies, has been considered. Types of data that can be extracted using specialized software in laboratories of computer research during computer forensic investigation, and which, in turn, can function as factual data and is the evidence of commission of crimes related to drug trafficking, psychotropic substances or their analogues are considered, namely, we are talking about such data as: information from messenger programs, web browsers, text messages, as well as from user files (including graphic, audio and video files); In addition, guiding questions that can be addressed to a forensic expert while computer forensic investigation in criminal investigations related to illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer, sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues are suggested.