Intangible space as a new form of crime scene: doctrinal aspect

Abstract

The article discusses the problems of defining cyberspace and information space as a possible place of commission of a crime or other optional sign of an objective party in relation to specific acts provided for by the norms of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The properties and characteristics of cyberspace are determined, and a comparison is made with the intangible and information space. The problem of determining the connection of cyberspace to specific objects of the material world - computer media, servers, the impossibility of the existence of cyberspace in isolation from three-dimensional reality at this stage of scientific and technological development, which predetermines the criminal legal classification of crimes, is noted. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the article substantiates an innovative approach to determining the place of intangible space in the system of composition characteristics. The author notes that the current realities force us to take a fresh look at the perception of the content of such a sign of the objective side of the crime as the place where the latter was committed, since its traditional understanding from the position of an object of material reality - a specific section of the earth’s surface, which has its own geographical landmarks and coordinates - does not meet the modern needs of the theory and practice of applying criminal law. As a result of the research, the author concludes that the development of computer technologies, communications and the information and telecommunications network “Internet” contributed to the emergence of a new – information – space, which by its nature is intangible and actually does not exist in a three-dimensional dimension.