Environmental Forensic Examinations in Poland: a Case Study

Abstract

In environmental criminal cases, forensic examinations are of particular relevance and create the basis for judicial decisions. In the article, four criminal cases concerning different types of environmental crimes were described to show current challenges and shortcomings in the area of environmental protection through criminal law in Poland, and the role of the experts in the process of proof. Special attention was paid to the forensic examinations of the plant and animal world within Nature 2000 sites, which are appeared to be the most challenging. The authors also addressed the issue of the compliance of domestic criminal law and its enforcement with the provisions of the Directive 2008/99/ec of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law.