Practical and Organizational Aspects of Forensic Services Provided by Forensic Science Organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice as Applied to the Examination of Items and Materials Obtained through Search Operations

Abstract

The article explores the issues of feasibility of conducting forensic examinations of materials and objects submitted to federal forensic science organizations of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation if these materials and objects were obtained in the course of search operations. An introduction to the notion of search operations includes a list of agents involved in this type of law enforcement activity, as well as definition of the procedural status of the document produced as a result of such operations. Discussion covers the legal grounds for undertaking forensic examinations consistent with the scope of the core operations of forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice. The author proposes pathways for interaction between forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice and law enforcement authorities conducting search operations when requested examinations cannot be sponsored by the federal budget.