Periodization of the Criminalistics: Problems of Terminology and Definition of Criterias

Abstract

The article substantiates that criminology dates back to ancient times, when in crime detection were used abilities, skills and knowledge of different kinds of crafts, medicine and science. This should be considered as a starting time of criminalistics periodization. A major part of the scientific works of the first half of the XX century contains periodization of criminalistics, starting from the formation of the Soviet republics and their association in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The author argues about the fallacy of such periodization. Criteria of criminalistics periodization contained in scientific sources are generalized: the first group – the events associated with the general course of the history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and law enforcement – investigative units, expert institutions, forensic research institutions; the second group – outstanding milestones in the development of forensic science (formation of the components of the general theory of criminalistics); the third group – state changes in the sphere of use of specialized knowledge in law enforcement practices which were fixed in the regulations. The vast majority of scientists share the development of forensic criminalistics in stages. The author proves the fallacy of this approach and proposes to use the division into periods and stages as parts of the period in the periodization of the criminalistics. It is also proved that criminalistics in the commission of its periodization is presented as a cumulative process that combines practical activities to solve crimes and relevant scientific statements that reflect the system of forensic knowledge. The author singles out in the development of criminalistics three periods: the first – from the beginning of using knowledge of different types of crafts, medicine and science to the late XIX century; the second – from the late XIX century (when the knowledge of the means and methods of crime detection was systemized) to the middle of XX century; third – from the middle of XX century (the general subject of criminalistics was defined and the general theory of criminalistics was formed) to the present time. As an important criterion for periodization of criminalistics should be considered a definition of the most important and promising areas, trends and tendencies of its development, an identification of regular forensic events and processes that marked the beginning of a new period.