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Theory and Practice of Forensic Science

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No 4(44) (2016)
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LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

5-12 1079
Abstract
The paper characterizes procedural actions performed by forensic practitioners and law enforcement personnel working in customs. It substantiates the need to update the legal framework behind the system of continuous forensic support of various operations within the system of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation. A system of technical forensic support for customs operations is offered for consideration. The practical significance of the proposed set of actions by the system's agents is linked to the increasing importance of detection of major and minor customs offenses, as well as the need for a more detailed approach that specifies the essence of activities incorporated into continuous forensic support and enhancement of the forms of interaction with customs authorities at all levels of state control.
13-25 1058
Abstract
Issue 38 of the Information Bulletin presents summaries of methodologies published in 2015–2016 and recommended by the RFCFS Research Methodology Board for use by state forensic experts in their regular practice within the system of forensic science organizations of the Ministry of Justice. The Information Bulletin includes an overview of works published by RFCFS (including those that appeared in the journal "Theory and Practice of Forensic Science"), as well as by V.P. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, and other organizations. Also included are descriptions of digital resources, manuals, and reference literature that may be of value to forensic practitioners. These materials may also be of interest to forensic examiners working at other public and private forensic science orgnizations, as well as investigators, judges, and lawyers.

TOPIC OF THE DAY

26-30 841
Abstract
The paper outlines the role of such innovations as standardization and quality assurance in forensic operations conducted on the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Rationales are provided for pathways towards standardization of forensic practice as a means of improving the efficiency of forensic contribution to the due process of law by resolving issues that require special knowledge. The authors examine different approaches to the understanding of quality in forensic practice and offer a definition that reflects the hierarchically structured system of law enforcement and courts' forensic needs.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

31-34 966
Abstract
The article deals with some of the systems of special knowledge that form the basis of competence of an expert performing forensic facial identification. It is observed that the existing general methodological framework, particularly in the areas of anatomy, anthropology, and modern human imaging technologies is inadequate for the analysis of human features in specific forensic contexts. The author therefore argues for the need to develop specialized education courses that could be used in the training of forensic facial identification practitioners.
35-37 713
Abstract
The article discusses the creation and functioning of the educational project based on the partnership between the Russian Federal Center of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation (engaged in forensic practice, scientific research, and methodology development) and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (engaged in education and training). The author examines the problems of modern professional training in forensic disciplines within the system of higher education. The system of the joint PFUR– RFCFS educational project is described and constituent levels of training are characterized. Pathways for future development of the project are offered.

INVESTIGATOR'S/JUDGE'S/LAWYER'S COLUMN

38-45 1022
Abstract
The authors present data on the forensic investigations conducted during the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal, as well as evaluation and use of expert testimony by the Tribunal, and characterize the main types of forensic investigations conducted both prior to the Tribunal and in the course of the trials. Certain procedural aspects of ordering and conducting forensic examinations are examined. The authors show how Nuremberg's forensic legacy provided an important contribution to the organization of forensic support for international and internationalized criminal courts and tribunals created in the post-1990s period.

TIPS FOR INVESTIGATORS/JUDGES/ LAWYERS

46-53 1493
Abstract

The paper examines actions taken by defense when financial and economic assessment is warranted in the course of economic crime investigation; the order of commission of financial and economic assessment by the investigator or court in order to establish a fact of bankruptcy fraud; capacity of the defense to contest expert testimony; errors committed by forensic economists when conducting financial and economic assessment in the criminal investigation of bankruptcy fraud; ways to prevent forensic expert mistakes; the wording of conclusions in the expert witness report; problems associated with the use of uncertified methodologies of forensic assessment; attitudes demonstrated by various courts within the Russian justice system towards the use of special knowledge by defense economic crime investigations, including the position of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in light of the European Convention; procedural and non-procedural documentation used by the defense in economic crime investigations.

 

FORENSIC CASEWORK

54-61 869
Abstract
The paper addresses the problem of improving the practice of forensic trace evidence examinations with the help of criteria that affect the evaluation of their complexity. It offers a synthesis of data submitted by seven regional centers and four laboratories of the system of forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice. It demonstrates that relevant parameters are not always taken into account when assessing the category of analysis complexity, which leads to underestimation of complexity measures in some cases. Recommendations are offered for the optimization of forensic practice to incorporate characteristics reflecting realistic conditions of actual forensic casework.
62-65 983
Abstract
The paper is devoted to understanding the provisions of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation concerning crimes against sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of the individual. The potential for using special knowledge of linguistics in the criminal investigation of such offenses is explored based on the analysis of the wording of relevant articles in the Code, determining the purpose of communication, characterizing interaction between communicating parties, and establishing the scope of linguistic expert competence.

METHODS AND TOOLS

66-72 1143
Abstract
The article offers a method for determining vehicle speed from the audio track recorded by the dashboard camera mounted on the car in question. The author analyzed the operation of a four-stroke internal combustion engine, and established a dependency between the number of rotations (rpm) of the engine crankshaft and the number of rotations transferred to the wheel by the manual transmission. The author presents a formula that helps to determine the static radius of the wheel from its marking symbols on the tire. He looks at examples from forensic casework and offers options for determining the ID number of an engaged gearbox. Furthermore, he reviews the possibilities of applying this method to vehicles with an automatic transmission. In conclusion, the article presents the results of tests of the proposed method conducted by leading experts from various forensic institutions of the Russian Ministry of Justice. They point to the consistency of results when engine rpm is calculated based on cepstral analysis and engine tachometer readings.
73-85 2043
Abstract
The paper presents a list of plant products prone to microbiological self-heating and spontaneous combustion. It examines the conditions and indicators of the emergence and development of these processes in hay and peat. An example from forensic casework describes fire in a haystack resulting from its microbiological spontaneous combustion. It is demonstrated that the “hay clinker” effect may arise both from spontaneous combustion and from an act of arson; therefore, it cannot be used as a differentiating feature of arson. Equations are proposed for the prediction of conditions leading to thermal self-ignition of hay and peat, with examples of calculations. The paper includes previously published data on the emission of heat by various materials at 20 °С, and their aeration, as well as data needed for the analysis of the causes of hay or peat fire resulting from their microbiological self-ignition.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

86-91 725
Abstract
The article considers the trends of improving forensic practice to match the current realities of criminal procedure. It raises issues of international cooperation in terms of forensic support in criminal investigations, including communication and sharing of forensic information. The premises for strengthening international forensic cooperation are outlined, such as globalization in all spheres of human activity, advances in science and technology, including the rapid development of means of communication, and growth in transnational organized crime.
92-97 609
Abstract
The article contains a classification of international scientific events in the field of forensic science according to their specialization, territorial scope of participants, and periodicity, as well as information about the most prominent and auspicious gatherings of the international forensic science community, conducted in the form of conferences, seminars, symposia, congresses and round tables.

DISCUSSIONS

98-107 3573
Abstract
The authors outline four key stages in the establishment and development of integrated psycholinguistic analysis within the system of forensic science organizations of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The first is associated with the period when psychological and linguistic evaluation first emerged and started to develop as new branches of forensic investigation, accompanied by the launch of new training programs, and accumulation of practical experience. The second stage was marked by the establishment of new objects and subject of investigation in forensic psychology (information materials and their intentionality), as well as integrated psycholinguistic evaluation. The third stage is identified by the improvement of forensic methodology for integrated evaluations, establishment of specialized departments tasked with tackling extremism related casework, modernization of forensic education and training programs, and introduction of new types of integrated psycholinguistic evaluations. The fourth stage is that of further evolution of psycholinguistic analysis, mutual integration of special knowledge in psychology and linguistics and its application, and expansion of the variety of objects and objectives that require a multidisciplinary approach. Consolidated overview of practices in integrated forensic psycholinguistic analysis covers the period 2014–2016.

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

108-115 528
Abstract
This section presents translated abstracts of selected papers that appeared in the following periodicals: Journal of Forensic Sciences (JFS), Volume 61, Issues 1–4, 2016 (American Academy of Forensic Sciences – AAFS), published by Wiley (USA), [available online at: www. onlinelibrary.wiley.com]; Science & Justice, Volume 56, Issue 1, 2016 (journal of the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists), published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd [contents lists available at: www.sciencedirect.com; journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scijus].

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, ROUND TABLES ON FORENSIC SCIENCE

116-118 549
Abstract
The paper sums up the outcomes of the 18th Annual Meeting of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Forensic Speech and Audio Analysis Working Group. The meeting was held on September 26–28, 2016 in Moscow, and was hosted by the Russian Federal Center of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, a permanent member of ENFSI.
119-120 668
Abstract
The paper sums up the outcomes of the Annual Meeting of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Forensic Information Technology Working Group. The meeting was held on September 20–23, 2016 in Windsor (the UK).
121-124 691
Abstract
The paper presents the outcomes of the All-Russian Seminar “Forensic economics under present conditions”, which brought together specialists working at forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice. The seminar took place on October 3–7, 2016 in the town of Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region.


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ISSN 1819-2785 (Print)
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