Forensic Expertise in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution basing on computer and information technologies, various software, hardware is rapidly gaining momentum in the modern world. First of all, these include big data processing technologies, blockchain, Internet of things, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, printed electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology. Alongside the positive effects, it is expected that the revolution will lead to some negative social consequences, including the growth of intellectual and high-tech crime. The article aims to analyze the causes and conditions of emerging new crime resulting from Industry 4.0 and their effect on the development of forensic science.The author highlights that the specific factors which will determine the future of forensic activity are: the appearance of creative and well-educated individuals, the emergence of “grey areas” in law, the development of global partnerships interested in international supranational rule-making, increasing of transnational crime. The rapid development of science and technology will require investigators and courts to promptly solve various specific scientific and technical tasks, eventually determining the objects and subjects of new forensic examinations, primarily from the field of information technology. Specialists predict a breakthrough in the development of cognitive computing and expert systems equipped with artificial intelligence, which has considerable potential in forensic science. There are signs of the shaping of a common forensic space, which will include not only existing elements of the institute of forensic examination (state and non-state institutions) but large industrial corporations, as well as the most active, technologically advanced individuals.