Digital Evidence Barriers Overcoming in the Ukrainian case: New Actors and Standards

The purpose of this article is to examine the evolving landscape of joint investigative efforts (public and private), with a particular focus on new actors, and the emerging importance of digital evidence collection in conflict zones. It addresses the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in collecting evidence, analyzing this from historical and legal perspectives. The article discusses the integration of collected digital evidence into ongoing investigations, highlighting the practical obstacles encountered. It also presents case studies where CSOs have intervened when state authorities failed to effectively investigate core international crimes, showcasing how these organizations contribute to modernizing investigative mechanisms using technology. As digital technology becomes increasingly central to criminal activity law enforcement bodies are challenged to adapt their investigative techniques to this new digital landscape. This article suggests opportunities for cooperation between public organizations and law enforcement agencies and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation to keep pace with the evolution of the digital criminal landscape. The article uses a combination of general scientific and specialized methods. The results highlight the importance of continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy development for better frameworks and cooperation.