CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: LIMITATIONS IN SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION AND DIGITAL ASSET TRACKING

Abstract

THE RESEARCH IN QUESTION, ENTITLED "CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: LIMITATIONS IN SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION AND DIGITAL ASSET TRACKING," SOUGHT TO DISCUSS THE THEME OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES, PARTICULARLY BITCOIN, IN THE CONTEXT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT TO THIS SUBJECT. THE RESEARCH AIMED TO OBTAIN RECENT AND ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE. THE PROBLEM ANALYZED WAS AS FOLLOWS: CONSIDERING THE GLOBAL AND ANONYMOUS USE OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN TRANSACTIONS, WHAT TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES ARE EMPLOYED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTS AND TRACK DIGITAL ASSETS INVOLVED IN THESE TRANSACTIONS? ARE THESE TECHNIQUES SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS, OR ARE THERE CASES WHERE SOME MANAGE TO EVADE LEGAL SANCTIONS? THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IN OBTAINING DIGITAL EVIDENCE. THE METHODOLOGY APPLIED WAS BIBLIOGRAPHIC AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH. CRYPTOCURRENCIES HAVE EMERGED AS A FORM OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTION IN THE DIGITAL WORLD, OFFERING GREATER PRIVACY AND ANONYMITY TO USERS. HOWEVER, THIS NEW FORM OF DIGITAL CURRENCY ALSO RAISES CONCERNS IN THE CONTEXT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, AS IT HAS BEEN USED TO FACILITATE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THIS STUDY CONTRIBUTES TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT AND TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.