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Theory and Practice of Forensic Science

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Vol 19, No 2 (2024)
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THEORETICAL ISSUES

6-13 489
Abstract

The article examines a new object of forensic economic examination – cryptocurrency. The author provides classic definitions of an object of forensic examination and establish the differences of cryptocurrency from the traditionally understood objects of both forensic examination in general and economic examination in particular. The main difference of cryptocurrency from other currencies and objects of investigation is its virtual nature, lack of affiliation with the material world. Two main points of view on the essence of cryptocurrency are analyzed: as a basis and tool for the development of new effective forms of payments, exchange of goods, and as an object and instrument of criminal activity. A definition of cryptocurrency is given as interpreted by the FATF – Financial Action Task Force. It is identified which issues related to the circulation of cryptocurrency can be attributed to the competence of a forensic expert-economist, and which – to the field of computer forensics. The author also describes the features of cryptocurrency that must be taken into account when considering it as an object of forensic economic examination. 

14-25 474
Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical reflection on the issue of the lack of a unified approach to the classification of tasks of forensic video analysis. General concepts of the subject, object and the classification of tasks have been considered from the perspective of forensic expertology. Also, the notions of the subject and object of forensic video examination have been provided. An author’s classification of the tasks for forensic video recordings analysis has been proposed, which will further simplify the inevitable process of conduct standardization of forensic video analysis within all the diversity of forensic expert institutions in the Russian Federation.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

26-30 480
Abstract

According to the Russian legislation an expert of a state forensic institution must get an additional professional education in a specific expert specialty. One of the important disciplines studied by a future expert is the Theory of Forensic Expertise, which now has transformed into Forensic Expertology. The article analyses a textbook “Fundamentals of Forensic Expertology” prepared in the Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice of Russia for students who receive additional professional training in expert specialties, which is basic for the corresponding course of lectures. The author outlines some practical steps necessary for the transition to training the future experts in the basics of forensic expertology.

DISCUSSIONS

31-39 627
Abstract

The article discusses some aspects of the study of the readiness and cost of design documentation of construction projects in forensic examination; establishes the objects of such examination; describes their quality criteria. The authors analyze the most common mistakes in forensic research, as well as the possibilities for solving terminological problems and integrating conceptual fields of different sciences. They also show the perspectives of applying the theory of qualimetry and the economic theory of utility in an expert study of the readiness and cost of design documentation for construction projects. A general comprehensive assessment of project quality has been developed: special attention has been paid to absolute and relative indicators of the readiness of project documentation.

The authors propose a reasonable version of the calculation justification for the degree of readiness of project documentation, they show the advantages of the suggested methodological approach, and first of all, the possibility of applying computer processing of results and the relative simplicity of the software calculation algorithm.

FORENSIC CASEWORK

40-48 327
Abstract

. The article overviews the changes in the Russian legislation regarding the terminology and classification of wine products, which should be considered when solving diagnostic and classification problems within the framework of complex examinations (commodity expertise of food products and forensic examination of materials, substances and products of alcoholcontaining liquids). The authors stress the importance and relevance of chromatographic methods in wine products examination. They also present the results of testing a method for organic acids determination in wine using JetChrom liquid chromatograph. Some examples are given from expert practice regarding the use of the gas chromatographic methods for analyzing the composition of toxic micro-impurities of base alcohol liquids and the high-performance liquid chromatography method for analyzing the composition of organic acids of the objects under research.

49-63 274
Abstract

When conducting forensic examinations of cultural property, various scientific and technical methods are used, including traceological research methods developed within the framework of forensic science. Traceological research methods are used, in particular, when it is necessary to study knots and loops: analyzing the images of knots and loops in works of painting, graphics, sculpture when resolving disputes regarding the attribution of products; decorative antique objects made using cords, ropes, threads, modern art installations; antique items of historical value. In this case, mainly classification and diagnostic tasks are solved. In some rare cases, identification problems can also be solved using the existing reference and information databases of knots and other fastening methods available to forensic tracers. New possibilities for studying knots and their images using artificial intelligence technologies seem promising.

64-75 372
Abstract

The article presents an analysis of fire hazard of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. The author notes a range of factors significantly impacting on the course of emergency rescue operations, including the difficulty of evacuating people from the burning buildings (e.g., due to the rapid movement of combustion products to the roof of the building, the duration of the descent down the stairs to evacuation exits, etc.), uncertainty of toxicity (the nature of gases formed during combustion, the synergism of their toxic effect, the determination of toxic dose), difficulties in rescuing people from the upper floors of the building and in the process of extinguishing a fire (due to the lack of necessary fire equipment), as well as the behavior of people caught in a fire in the building. The inadmissibility of using «risk-analysis» in the forensic practice is emphasized, since the correct initial data (linear and mass burning rates) for its calculation is unknown. The article is intended for fire experts of the forensic institutions of various departments, investigators of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and employees of engineering organizations.

METHODS AND TOOLS

76-87 478
Abstract

. As a result of large-scale digitalization of all spheres of human activity and the rapid introduction of artificial intelligence technologies, the need has arisen for forensic support for legal proceedings in cases in which artificial intelligence has a role. The most pressing tasks solved by forensic computer expert units are the study of the facts of unlawful (mainly criminal) use of artificial intelligence, the use of artificial intelligence to create new and improve existing methods of computer forensics, forensic analysis of products using artificial intelligence technologies in order to establish compliance of the final product with the technical specifications for its creation, as well as a comprehensive forensic the analysis is carried out either within a forensic computer examination, or comprehensively, with the involvement of specialists in the field of forensic linguistics, forensic phonoscopic and other types of examinations. Identifying distortions in metadata is an illustrative example of improving forensic methods for analyzing digital images using artificial intelligence technology.

88-95 704
Abstract

The article considers the influence of the use of different types of spare parts on the total damage and the application of wear of the component parts when calculating the amount of damage caused to the wheeled vehicle. The authors have conducted a comparative analysis, evaluated the economic efficiency of the use of various spare parts.



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ISSN 1819-2785 (Print)
ISSN 2587-7275 (Online)