电子数据搜查、扣押的法律规制

我国2012年修正的《刑事诉讼法》将电子数据增列为证据的法定种类,这要求我国刑事诉讼法学界对电子数据的相关问题,如电子证据的搜查与扣押,出示与质证,审查判断等问题进行深入研究。与传统证据相比,电子数据具有以下四大特征:存储内容的海量性、形态的易变性、变动的可察觉性以及内容的难以直接感知性。电子数据的以上特征对电子数据的搜查、扣押提出了更加严格的要求:首先,在搜查、扣押之前,侦查机关必须申请司法机关签发令状;在搜查、扣押过程中,无论是对电子设备的搜查、扣押还是此后对电子设备中存储的电子数据的进一步搜查,都必须受到令状原则有关合理根据和特定性要求的约束。其次,侦查机关搜查、扣押电子数据之后,必须允许辩护方对被搜查、扣押的电子数据进行查看、审查和复制,从而防止侦查机关滥用权力,保护辩护方的合法权利。另外,为保障电子数据的客观性和原始性,还必须建立严密的证据保管链制度。我国在以上方面都存在严重问题,在有些方面甚至完全空白,立法机关在未来修正《刑事诉讼法》时必须进行完善与重构。

Legal Regulation on Search and Seizure of Electronic Data

The Criminal Procedure Law amended in 2012 added electronic data to the types of evidence admitted by law,which requires the criminal procedural law academics to conduct an intensive study on the relevant issues about electronic data,such as search and seizure,introduction and cross examination,review and judgment of electronic data. Compared with traditional evidences,electronic data has four major characteristics as follows: capacity of massive storage,volatility of form,detectability of alteration and difficulty of perception.The above characteristics raise strict requirements on the search and seizure of electronic data. Firstly,investigation organs must get the warrants issued by judicial organs before search and seizure,besides,no matter the search aimed at electronic devices,or the search aimed at electronic data stored in the electronic devices,it should be bound by the probable cause requirement and particularity requirement of the writ principle. Secondly,in order to protect the legal rights of the defendants and to prevent the investigation power being abused,the investigation organs must offer opportunities for the defendants to check,examine and copy electronic data after search and seizure. Thirdly,for the sake of objectivity and originality of the electronic data,rigorous system of custody chain must be established. There exist serious problems in all of the above aspects,and even deficiency in some aspects in our system. The legislation organ must reform and reconstruct the relevant system in the future.