IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF A FORENSIC SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCIES

Abstract

The article explores the urgent issues of digital transformation in the forensic-criminalistics sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan, driven by the increasing number of crimes committed using information technologies. The evolution of crime methods in the digital environment requires forensic experts to develop new professional competencies, including skills in cybersecurity, data analysis, software-analytical tools, and platforms based on artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The authors review both domestic and international digital tools (e.g., «Papillon», forensic ARM, Autopsy, FTK, Chainalysis, Predictive Policing), highlighting their effectiveness in analyzing digital evidence, cryptocurrency transactions, and user behavior patterns. The study also examines institutional and regulatory barriers to the integration of digital tools into criminal procedure, including the absence of digital competence requirements in current professional standards and the fragmented nature of educational programs. The authors argue for systematic specialist training, the introduction of interdisciplinary courses in universities, the creation of dedicated training platforms, and the development of inter-agency expert-analytical systems. International best practices from the U.S. and EU demonstrate effective models of training and certification in digital forensics. The article concludes that a comprehensive and strategic reform-encompassing legal, educational, organizational, and personnel aspects-is necessary to ensure the effective implementation of digital technologies in criminal investigations. Such an approach would facilitate Kazakhstan's forensic system’s adaptation to the realities of the digital age and significantly improve the quality and admissibility of evidence in criminal proceedings.

Keywords: digital forensics, digital transformation, forensic expert, digital evidence, cybercrime, software-analytical platforms, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, digital trace analysis, professional standards, personnel training, predictive analytics