On the Scope of Criminalistic Habitoscopy in the Implementation of Measures Against Modern Cyber Crime

Abstract

The article presents an overview of modern possibilities of criminalistic habitoscopy in the conditions of global digitization. Methodological recommendations on the investigation and solution of cybercrimes should have a serious research and methodological basis, and criminalistic habitoscopy could provide such a basis. In the situation of global digitization and the use of virtual channels of communication (video conference calls), the characteristics of a persons outward features should include perceptibility, or the ability of the subject of perception (human sense organs or technical devices) to identity specific features of that persons look. In connection with this, the authors claim that a persons outward features are a complex system of elements that together form his or her appearance - an image that is visually perceived by other people or by devices. Taking into account the perceptibility of a persons outward look, his or her general physical features, besides the traditional ones, will include the geometry of hands, the vein structure on palm surfaces, finger thermogram, face and skull geometry, etc., all of which have a high criminalistic value. However, considering the current sanitary and epidemiology measures undertaken in Russia (wearing medical masks and gloves), climate (covering faces with scarves and kerchiefs) and cultural (women wearing national clothes that cover their faces, men with stubble or a beard) specifics, as well as the methods of falsifying anatomical features and counteracting criminalistic technologies already developed by the criminals, the authors view the research of the dynamic characteristics of a persons outward appearance in the form of digital behavior as the most perspective area. These characteristics primarily concern stylometry (keyboard handwriting) - a set of dynamic characteristics of pressing keys on a computer keyboard, which includes a system of subconscious automatic actions habitual to the user. Besides, the most relevant features of digital behavior should include digital handwriting, gestures, facial expression and lip movement.