# Digitalisation of forensic expert activity in Ukraine: Organisational and legal framework

## TL;DR

The paper explores how digital tools can improve forensic expert work in Ukraine by suggesting new systems and legal changes.

## Contribution

The paper proposes a digital framework for forensic expert activity, including automated appointment models and synchronized information systems.

## Key findings

- Digitalisation of forensic work aligns with broader digital trends and improves efficiency.
- Automated expert appointment models can enhance independence and speed of forensic examinations.
- Synchronizing systems like the Register of Certified Forensic Experts with UJITS improves information exchange.

## Abstract

The article examines the process of digitalisation of forensic expert activity through the prism of the State's policy aimed at creating a technologically advanced society. Proposals are made: on registration and identification of forensic experts of state specialised institutions in the Unified Judiciary Information Telecommunication System; on improvement of the functions of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts regarding the profile of a legal entity carrying out forensic activities and the profile of an individual forensic expert. A number of legislative amendments related to the field of forensic science have been proposed to ensure a balanced development of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts.

The introduction of the Forensic Expert e-Diary will facilitate the maintenance of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts in terms of displaying the number of expert examinations conducted by each forensic expert and the level of their workload based on the number of examinations and their complexity, calculated in expert hours.

It is proved that the Register of Certified Forensic Experts should be maintained in such a way that the profiles of employed experts are displayed and made available via the profile of their expert organisation. It is concluded that in order to ensure independence, objectivity, efficiency, and speed of forensic examinations, it is advisable to introduce the following model of automated appointment of an expert to conduct a particular study: the system pre-selects several candidates, after which the court selects from the list an expert who can be involved in the work. The article also raises the issues of information security and data confidentiality in the organisation of forensic expert activity.

•Digitalisation of most of the work processes in forensic expert activity is in line with general digitalisation trends.•Unification of the interagency approach to the classification of forensic examinations will facilitate a balanced development of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts.•The profile of an expert organisation in the Register of Certified Forensic Experts should allow access to the profiles of the employed experts.•The model of automated expert appointment will ensure independence, objectivity, efficiency, and speed of forensic examinations.•The introduction of the Forensic Expert e-Diary will facilitate the maintenance of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts.•Synchronisation of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts with the Unified Judiciary Information Telecommunication System (UJITS) will facilitate the exchange of information between these services.

Digitalisation of most of the work processes in forensic expert activity is in line with general digitalisation trends.

Unification of the interagency approach to the classification of forensic examinations will facilitate a balanced development of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts.

The profile of an expert organisation in the Register of Certified Forensic Experts should allow access to the profiles of the employed experts.

The model of automated expert appointment will ensure independence, objectivity, efficiency, and speed of forensic examinations.

The introduction of the Forensic Expert e-Diary will facilitate the maintenance of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts.

Synchronisation of the Register of Certified Forensic Experts with the Unified Judiciary Information Telecommunication System (UJITS) will facilitate the exchange of information between these services.