The article is devoted to the language of linguistic expert’s opinion as one of aspects of language problem of forensic examination and as a part of general theoretical block in structure of modern forensic expertise. It is stated that the expert’s opinion is a heterogeneous procedural document by its style since it is combining elements of both official and scientific style of speech. A form and a content of constituent parts of the linguistic expert’s opinion are considered from perspective of language. These parts are: introduction, research part and conclusion. It is determined that compliance with principles of drawing up the expert’s opinion and responsible attitude of the expert to the choice of linguistic means when describing process of study will make this procedural document a strong argument when used as an evidence.

Forensic identification and modern biometric technologies have a common basis and have been closely developing together in various ways. Today new biometric technologies have emerged that utilize previously inaccessible properties and characteristics of humans. The article examines how forensic identification principles are applied in the creation of such new technologies.
Promising areas of collaboration between forensic experts and biometric technology specialists include collaborative studying the frequency and identification significance of external human characteristics, as well as individual features of movements and actions, determined by habits and skills and used for forensic identification. They share common goals such as investigating the causes of erroneous identifications, exploring the ways to illegally bypass biometric security systems, and developing methods to counter criminal attacks.

The author continues the series of scientific publications on the issues of forensic transport examination. Present article provides a refined classification, defines the subtheory of the forensic transport examinations, explains its content and basic concepts (subject, object, tasks) considering the modern outlook on the matter.

The article discusses the prospects for applying the methodology of political science in the framework of forensic expertise. The authors justify the expediency of conduction of forensic political investigations in forensic expert institutions of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. They also establish the grounds for appointing forensic political examinations. The subject, objects, typical tasks are specified, and a list of sample questions is provided.

With the extensive implementation of new technologies in printing and reprographic printing the manufacturing methods of mass printing products, including labels, tags, and packaging, which often become the objects of forensic document analysis, have changed dramatically. The article describes the modern methods of color printing and reprographic printing used in manufacturing of such products. The work also provides an overview of the most common modern methods and types of color industrial printing used in the production of labels, tags, and packaging. The author describes the diagnostic complexes of features of these methods displayed at the raster level in the resulting prints (images).

The article discusses the justification of considering wear and tear when estimating the amount of damage caused by vehicle breakage. The authors present the legal reasoning for the differentiated approach when deciding whether wear and tear should be considered and make some suggestions for its practical reflection in expert opinions

The article analyzes modern forms of forensic experts’ training in terms of obtaining the necessary competencies. It additionally draws attention to the importance of building professional skills as a condition for admission to certification for the right to conduct independent expert activities. In this context, the author has reviewed a draft of a professional standard “Specialist in forensic examination”, which involves an introduction of an associate expert’s position as the first stage of professional development.
When implementing the comparative legal method and the comparative approach, the issues of structural organization of forensic activities in the Russian Federation have been investigated to ensure proper education and forensic experts’ training. Also, the author proposes some recommendations on optimization of such activities.

The article reviews and summarizes the experience of validating forensic expert techniques in the Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The authors point out the methodological features of practical implementation of the validation procedure. They demonstrate that the specificity, diversity, and complexity of the objects of expert study require the classification of the applied methods in terms of metrology, identification of the main validation parameters of quantitative and qualitative methods, organization of experiments, and evaluation of validation parameters using mathematical analysis methods. They also propose to divide methods into two types: forensic expert measurement methods (FMT) and forensic expert testing methods (FTT). Based on the generalization of information presented in several regulatory documents and scientific publications, the following parameters are identified for FMT: metrological characteristics or properties of the method (specificity, linearity, sensitivity, range of determined values, detection limit, quantitative determination limit) and quality indicators of the method (precision, correctness, accuracy of the analysis result, or uncertainty). When validating FTT, it is proposed to evaluate the reliability of the method and the competence of the expert.
An experiment to assess validation parameters is performed using enough control samples with established characteristics of controlled indicators and with the participation of a sufficient number of experts. Requirements for control samples are provided.
The authors also give examples of probabilistic evaluation of validation parameters for two qualitative testing methods: microscopic examination of textile fibers and detection of gunshot residue using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The reliability of these methods is assessed by calculating the likelihood ratio, and the specificity of interpreting the results of FMT and FTT validation is noted.
The decision on compliance with the requirements is made if the interval of the established extended uncertainty for the obtained result does not exceed the tolerance field. In the absence of tolerances, FMT is considered suitable for solving forensic expert tasks if the values of the extended uncertainty of the measurement results of the controlled indicator do not exceed the values established during validation. For FTT, a low probabilistic proportion of false positive and false negative results in determining the presence/absence of controlled indicators, as well as experimentally confirmed competence of the expert during validation, are indicators of the suitability of the method for its intended use