Investigative Bodies State and Development Issues after UKRSSR Criminal Procedure Code Adoption in 1927

Abstract

Structure of investigative bodies in 1920s and investigators’ procedural competences are identified: these were the subjects of double subordination (administrative functions were supervised by courts and investigative actions – by prosecution). Article provides analysis of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (1927) concerning inquiry bodies, investigative agencies and prosecution. Influence of updated Soviet Union socialeconomic strategy on contents and scope of investigators’ procedural powers – it is identified that function of inquiry process supervision (apart from supervision of law compliance in the same circumstances) was extracted from the prosecutor’s competence and transferred to investigator along with criminal case dismissal under applicable law (cases which stipulated inquiry and relevant complaints consideration). After full transfer of investigators’ subordination to prosecutors in 1929 they also were assigned to support (in specific cases) the state prosecution in court. Positive and negative outcomes of this phenomenon are presented. Research of staff policy made it possible to conclude that the key factor taken into account by the authorities during investigators’ vacancies filling was the political background and preferred origin (workers’-peasants’) of the candidate instead of qualification level. Author identified that the abovementioned update was used by legislators to reinforce the accusative aspect of investigative activity applied later during mass repressions in 1930s.