Investigating the Occupation of the Highest Position in the Criminal Hierarchy: a Technological Approach

The authors examine the structure of the investigative technique used to investigate the occupation of the highest position in the criminal hierarchy. This technique is presented as a way to algorithmize and optimize the investigation. The attributes of the investigative technique for the abovementioned type of crimes are identified: 1) the legal attribute shows that it belongs to investigative activities; 2) the information attribute reflects criteria for the information effectiveness of conducting an investigation; 3) the structural attribute unites series of work operations adapted to the specific circumstances of the investigation; 4) the attribute of taking into account the investigation counteraction factor. It is proven that the resources of investigation (material, technical, personnel, information, normative-legal) should be used effectively and rationally. The sector of tasks included in the structure of the investigative technique of investigating the occupation of the highest position in the criminal hierarchy determine the key guidelines for conducting investigations in difficult and ambiguous conditions. The tasks are distributed for the stages of conducting an investigation. The specific features of these tasks are identified. The authors demonstrate the significance of such forensic expertise as criminological, culturological, psychological, economic, photo-portrait, and others, in investigating the occupation of the highest position in the criminal hierarchy. The sector of personnel support of this investigation technique describes the actions of the investigator that use the human resources potential of the investigative bodies and court-expert organizations. The section of material and technical support includes recommendations on using the operative-technical tools, technical-criminalistic tools and resources of specific criminalistic methods. The authors point out the problem of the accessibility of material-technical, personnel, information, normative-legal and other resources of the investigation. This section of investigative technique also contains information on specialists and experts involved in investigative actions and expertise. The authors discuss the problem of investigative prevention of occupying the highest position in the criminal hierarchy. The effectiveness of the technique of investigating the occupation of the highest position in the criminal hierarchy is proven by cases from investigative and court practice.