Application of Special Knowledge in the Investigation of Crimes Related to Illicit Drug Trafficking

Some issues of application of special knowledge in the course of investigation of crimes related to illegal drug trafficking are considered. Analyzed the scientific literature, regulatory legal acts devoted to the use of special knowledge in the study of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. The statistical data of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine are presented, indicating a significant increase in the level of drug-related crime in Ukraine. The increase in the number of drug-related crimes entails an increase in the need for the use of special knowledge in their investigation. In the process of applying special knowledge, a number of problematic issues arise that require legislative solutions. The purpose of the article is to identify theoretical and organizational problems arising in the process of applying special knowledge in the investigation of crimes related to drug trafficking. Attention was drawn to the project “Action — EU: EU Action on Drugs and Organized Crime. Intensive cooperation and capacity building to combat organized drug trafficking along the heroin route. ” Under the auspices of this project, the Ukrainian Working Group for the Study of Psychoactive Substances was formed, one of the main goals of which is to improve the quality of forensic services in Ukraine, and one of the main forms of work is to conduct interlaboratory exercises. The results of participation in an interlaboratory exercise provide an opportunity to either confirm the performance of a particular laboratory, or indicate problems in such a laboratory. For the examination of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, access to comparative (standard) samples is required, the free receipt of which (or their exchange between institutions) is complicated by many factors.