In recent years, a new type of instant communication method through Internet called E-chat has made"revolutionary changes on the life style of Chinese people". Civil and criminal cases involving E-chat happen frequently. As the first case of this kind in our country, it has come to its adjudication by Jinghuqu People's Court which has for the first time token records of E-chat as foundational proof for verdict. A record of E-chat belongs to the category of electronic evidence, but researches on electronic evidence in our country are far more from mature. How to make a legal position fixing of this new type of electronic evidence, how to make identification, collection and presentation of evidence are vital problems to confront.This article centralized on the very basis of electronic evidence to make introductory answers to those questions above: Firstly, to reconsider definition and features of electronic evidence, and based on prior studies to bring up theory on trichotomy of electronic evidence according to which electronic evidence is further divided into electronic literary evidence and electronic audiovisuals evidence. Secondly, to analysis of E-chat record identification from aspects of admissibility and weight of evidence, and to bring up relative cafeterias. Finally, with consideration of the technical features of E-chat, this article is to bring up the author's own point of view on potential violations and prevention count measures on rights of privacy in the procedure of identification and collection of the records.This article is divided into four major parts. The first part includes: arise of issue and introduction to backgrounds of E-chat; the second parts includes: reconsideration of definition, features and academic classification...
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