Biological Traces of a Person as a Clue in Solving Crimes

Abstract

The article highlights the importance of the study of human biological traces in criminal and other practices of crime investigation. The article indicates the main types of traces of biological origin, their characteristics, and research methods. The current legislation of Ukraine regarding the investigation of crimes in the aspect of human biological traces is analyzed.

The dynamics of crime, the improvement and diversification of methods of committing crimes, the use of modern technical means by criminals require special knowledge from investigators (prosecutors, courts). The Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine provides for the possibility of involving specialists in conducting investigative actions (searches), especially when inspecting the scene of the incident. The purpose of inviting responsible experts is to assist investigators in identifying, obtaining, and seizing evidence. This speeds up the process of investigative actions (search). This makes it much easier for the investigator to determine what facts are causal, where and when what signs can be detected, and how technology is used to detect them. Specialists help investigators determine the boundaries of the inspection of the crime scene, determine the mechanism of events, find references to traces and other physical evidence, and identify the mechanisms of committed crimes.

It is argued that the inspection as an investigative action (operational search) consists in the direct observation and examination of physical objects related to the circumstances of a person's criminal act. As part of this process, the prosecutor/investigator establishes (discovers), investigates (to the extent possible at this stage) and gathers information about factual evidence relevant to the criminal case.

It is proven that forensic tasks include: finding traces of a crime and other objects that can be used as physical evidence in criminal cases, explanations in criminal cases, analysis of other situations related to criminal cases.