Organization of forensic examinations in criminal proceedings as a condition for the effectiveness of the investigation of criminal offences

In the science of criminology and the activity of investigating criminal offences, organizational activity is of immense importance. One of the forms of its implementation is forensic examinations, and its improvement directly affects the achievement of the objectives of criminal proceedings. The purpose of this study was to highlight organizational activities related to conducting forensic examinations as a means of ensuring effective pre-trial investigation and trial in every criminal proceeding. To fulfil the set purpose, general scientific and special methods were used to investigate the object and subject of research: analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, analogy; special-legal methods: comparative-legal, historical-legal, system-structural, method of system analysis. Based on the analysis of the provisions of regulations and scientific, educational, and methodological material, it was established that the organization of forensic examination in criminal proceedings encompasses the system of organizational and administrative actions of authorized subjects and lies in ensuring the proper, timely, and objective appointment and conduct of forensic examinations, as well as obtaining an expert opinion, which is required to achieve the objectives of criminal proceedings. The main stages of the organization of forensic examinations in criminal proceedings were identified and characterized. The subjects of the activity under study were classified, specifically according to the nature of the implementation of organizational actions. It was found that a prominent place among the subjects of the considered activity belongs to the investigator as the subject of initiation of forensic examinations. It is the investigator who collects and analyses materials when conducting a pre-trial investigation, decides which circumstances of the criminal proceedings need to be verified by conducting an expert examination, and evaluates the expert’s opinion. The provisions given in this paper can be used in the practical activities of individual forensic experts and forensic divisions and institutions; entities authorized to carry out pretrial investigation of criminal offences