Keystroke Dynamics through the Prism of Digital Criminalistics

This work seeks to substantiate that keystroke dynamics (typing pattern) falls within the subject matter of digital criminalistics. To achieve this aim, the Author employs an interdisciplinary approach, methods of synthesis and analysis, as well as analogy and modeling, which make it possible to project general features onto a specific frequent phenomenon of modern reality. The work consistently characterizes the phenomenon of keystroke dynamics, raises general issues of digital criminalistics, identifies the features of digital traces, and compares them with the phenomenon of keystroke dynamics. An authorial definition of keystroke dynamics is provided, and the need to intensify its forensic study is emphasized so as to enhance the effectiveness of efforts to detect and investigate crimes where accurate identification of the typist matters (dissemination of extremist messages, preparatory criminal activity on online platforms, creation of “death groups,” etc.). Debated issues of digital criminalistics as a new subdiscipline are considered. The positions of various authors are analyzed regarding the name of the field, the terminological designation of traces studied, and the determination of their nature, and the Author’s own position is substantiated. Specific features of digital traces (material yet mediated character, belonging to computer information, remote accessibility, copyability, abstractness, etc.) are highlighted, and the correspondence of keystroke dynamics to these features is demonstrated—keystroke dynamics being a special typing skill that finds reflection in system logs on a computer or in the memory of specialized technical devices. The study confirms the initial scientific hypothesis: when recorded in the memory of a computer or a specialized device, keystroke dynamics falls within the subject area of digital criminalistics, as it is a digital trace and, in this capacity, can be used to solve crime-control tasks. Its study should become an alternative to traditional handwriting examinations in today’s conditions of transition to electronic document flow and digital communication.

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