The Possibilities of Using Contextual Information Search on Computer Media to Identify, Investigate and Prevent Crimes

Abstract

Contextual search is now actively used by various divisions of the law enforcement bodies to identify, investigate and prevent crimes. This instrument could be used both to search information online and to analyze local digital information carriers. Still, the task of contextual search does not currently have a single definition, and its place among the tasks of computer forensic examination is not clearly determined. The author examines various problem aspects of contextual search: its concept, its place among the tasks of forensic examination, modern understanding of the task of contextual search in other, including related, branches of science. The author describes contextual search methods in researching digital information within the framework of computer forensic examination and characterizes instruments which an expert could use to deal with the task of contextual search. Using this analysis, the author argues that contextual search is not an independent expert task, but a part of a more extensive expert task. The author also presents the views of different researchers on the concept of contextual information search and states that it is necessary to widen this concept in the light of the contemporary advances in the development information technology: it should be viewed as a method of searching for text fragments not only in the text files, but also in the graphic files. Special attention should be paid to the question of the effectiveness of using contextual search on the Internet, including its shadow segment, with the aim of crime prevention and prophylaxis, the author also analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of search mechanisms in online resources and meta-search systems.