Theoretical and Practical Principles of Forensic and Forensic Support for the Investigation of War Crimes
Abstract
Abstract. The article is devoted to a comprehensive theoretical and applied study of forensic and forensic support for the investigation of war crimes under martial law. Based on the generalization of modern approaches to the forensic classification of crimes, the feasibility of typifying certain types of war crimes is substantiated, as it is of great importance for the development of forensic investigation methods. The features of the use of modern technical and forensic means are determined, in particular uncrewed aerial vehicles, 3D scanners, digital platforms for accumulating and analyzing information, geographic information systems, photo and video recording devices, as well as specialized information systems designed to detect, collect and record traces of crimes, the situation at the scene of the incident and the processing of materials of criminal proceedings regarding war crimes. The role of forensic examinations in the mechanism of evidence is determined. It has been established that during the investigation of war crimes, the most demanded are forensic, molecular genetic, explosive, military, construction and technical, soil science, biological, and computer technical examinations. It has been substantiated that the complex use of special knowledge ensures the establishment of the mechanism of the crime, the identification of victims and the dead, the determination of the type of weapon, the direction of the shelling, the nature of the destruction, the sources of digital information, and other circumstances that are important for the criminal proceedings. Considerable attention is paid to ensuring a continuous chain of custody for evidence, verifying digital materials, assessing the admissibility of OSINT data, and integrating international standards into national investigative practice. Directions for improving the forensic and forensic support for the investigation of war crimes are proposed, including: the development of specialized methods for individual groups of crimes; improving the regulatory regulation of work with digital evidence; developing interdepartmental and international cooperation; strengthening the material and technical support of pre-trial investigation bodies and expert institutions; expanding the use of modern information systems and technologies.
Keywords: national security; forensic methodology; forensic support; war crime, tactical support; technical and forensic support; investigative (search) action; forensic examination.
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