西元1453年古騰堡發明活字印刷術開啟了資訊革命，而各項資訊傳播科技的相繼發明，更將人類歷史帶入資訊時代。資訊傳播科技超越時空障礙的特質使得人們可以穿越國家疆界線進行交流，促成了全球化的產生，為資訊時代無法阻擋的一股潮流。各項訊息能夠快速且自由的流通，此種現象對國際社會的不同層次均造成衝擊，舉凡國際議題、國家間交往、國家主權乃至於個人生活的各個方面，無一不受到資訊傳播科技大幅發展而面臨轉變。資訊為外交最重要的元素，是外交工作的血肉。先進資訊傳播科技改變了資訊傳遞與接收的特性與方式，對外交體制必定造成相當程度的影響。 資訊傳播科技的發展到了近20年，可說是以電腦科技與網際網路技術為重心。電腦網路等資訊傳播科技應用於國家政治造就了電子民主，若與國家外交相結合便產生「虛擬外交」。資訊為外交不可或缺的內涵，則外交部門及外交人員應用先進資訊傳播科技於其工作中便有其必要性，而虛擬外交的出現實乃反映出資訊時代的需要。 資訊傳播科技在美國萌芽，美國亦是世上最早體認到資訊時代對外交體制造成種種挑戰而展開熱烈討論的國家。自1993年起，美國政府及學術機構便展開一連串的研究活動，目的在探尋資訊時代外交體制的因應之道。美國政府亦積極從事外交再造工程，《1998外交事務改革與重組法》的頒佈與生效，為美國改革實踐的第一步，而美國的作法亦可成為其他國家學習效法的指標。

Crime has been around since the beginning of time. In an evolving society, and the methodology of crime also changes. The methodology of combating and preventing crime should aim to match the speed at which crime occurs. Criminal procedure deals with the powers of the police to investigate crimes.1 The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (CPA) contains the principles of search and seizure in chapter 2. The promulgation of the CPA was during a period where the computer was a new phenomenon. At this time, it was inconceivable that technology would ever advance and become so ubiquitous, to the point that technology would infiltrate every aspect of our lives, and laws. There has since been many developments in our law, especially a new Constitutional dispensation.2 There have been developments and technological advancements that have had a direct and indirect bearing on the CPA. People use technology to communicate, transact, and unfortunately, to commit crime. These developments require there to be amendments in the CPA. There has been no specific amendments relating to search and seizure which are of significance in addressing technological advances. It is recommended that the amendments to the CPA include definitions and guidelines for procedural aspects of collection of electronic evidence. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL. M. (Criminal and Procedural Law)