Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences: Problems of Differentiation and Integration

Keywords: criminalistics, forensic science, criminal proceedings, forensic examination, nature of criminalistics, models of criminalistics.

Abstract

The authors have clarified perspectives for further development of criminalistics in Ukraine under the influence of integration processes of this science from Forensic Science. The genesis of the national model of criminalistics has been briefly studied; a comparative analysis of its content with Forensic Science has been accomplished; and the ways of further development of the system of criminalistics and related sciences in Ukraine have been defined considering the global tendencies of convergence of different models of this field of scientific knowledge. It has been emphasized that the use of the terms of “Criminalistics”, “Forensic Sciences” and “Criminal Investigation” is explained not just by the specifics of terminology in different countries, but primarily due to differences in defining the nature and internal content of these disciplines. According to the authors, the integration of tactical and technical criminalistics tools and methods of combating crime is quite acceptable and not only significantly enriches the arsenal of criminalistics, but determines its existence as an independent science. Such an approach allows us to consider criminalistics not just as one of the many sections of Forensic Sciences, but to single out it as one of the most comprehensive sciences that integrates all other forensic disciplines. The domestic model of criminalistics, in contrast to Forensic Science, represents the issues of a legal nature (criminalistics tactics and methodology), which makes it a science of dual (synthetic) nature. The integration processes observed in the development of criminalistics and Forensic Science are gradually leading to the convergence of these sciences in content. Given this, it is impractical to take further steps to disintegrate criminalistics in Ukraine by separating forensic expertise into a separate science. Otherwise, there will be a complete depletion of the natural and technical component of criminalistics, which may result in the disappearance of this science in general.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

R. L. Stepaniuk, Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs

Doctor of Juridical Sciences, Professor.
Department of Criminalistics, Forensic Expertology and Pre-medical Training (Professor).

T. P. Matiushkova, Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs

Candidate (Ph.D.) of Juridical Sciences, Docent.
Department of Criminalistics, Forensic Expertology and Pre-medical Training (Associate Professor).

References

Bouzin J.T., Sauzier G. and Lewis S.W., 2021. Forensic science in Seychelles: An example of a micro-jurisdiction forensic delivery system. Forensic Science International: Synergy, Vol. 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100139.

Sokol V.Yu., 2017. Crisis of domestic criminalistics [Krizis otechestvennoi kriminalistiki]. Krasnodar.

Fenyvesi C., 2017. The continental and common-law conceptions of criminalistics. US-China law Review, Vol. 14, рp. 46-57. https://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6605/2017.01.004.

Shepitko M.V., 2020. Conceptual foundations of the development of criminology and forensic sciences [Kontseptualni zasady rozvytku kryminalistyky ta sudovykh nauk]. Arhìv krimìnologìï ta sudovih nauk – Archive of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, No. 1, pp. 89-97.

Stepaniuk R.L. and Lapta S.P., 2018. Possibilities for the development of forensic science in Ukraine based on the experience of the USA [Mozhlyvosti rozvytku kryminalistychnoi nauky v Ukraini z ohliadu na dosvid SSHA]. Vìsnik Lugansʹkogo deržavnogo unìversitetu vnutrìšnìh sprav ìmenì E. O. Dìdorenka – Bulletin of Luhansk State University of Internal Affairs named after E. O. Didorenko, No. 3, pp. 289-297.

Levenstim A.A., 1896. Dr. Hans Gross and his project to improve the investigative unit [Doktor Gans Gross i ego proekt uluchsheniya sledstvennoi chasti]. Zhurnal yuridicheskogo obshchestva pri Sankt-Peterburgskom universitete, Book 3, pp. 47-66.

A.L., 1900. What is criminalistics? [Chto takoe kriminalistika?]. Zhurnal ministerstva yustitsii, No. 9, pp. 114-125.

Reiss R.A., 1912. Scientific technique for investigating crimes [Nauchnaya tekhnika rassledovaniya prestuplenii]. St. Petersburg: Senatskaya tipografiya.

Tregubov S.N., 1915. Fundamentals of criminal technology. Scientific and technical methods of crime investigation: a practical guide for judicial figures [Osnovy ugolovnoi tekhniki. Nauchno-tekhnicheskie priemy rassledovaniya prestuplenii: prakticheskoe rukovodstvo dlya sudebnykh deyatelei]. Moscow: Pravo.

Shepit’ko V., 2014. Criminalistics in the system of sciences and its role in the global world [Kriminalistika v sisteme nauk i ee rol’ v global’nom mire]. Kryminalistyka ta sudova ekspertyza: nauka, navchannia, praktyka, Vol. 1, pp. 143-153.

Halilovic H. and Bojanic N. Criminalistics-Scientia Sui Generis-Arguments Pro et Contra. [online] U.S. Department of Justice. Available at https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/criminalistics-scientia-sui-generis-arguments-pro-et-contra [Accessed 18 July 2021].

Birzer M. L. and Roberson C., 2012. Introduction to Criminal Investigation. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Lyman M.D., 2011. Criminal investigation: the art and the science. 6th ed. Hoboken: Published by Prentice Hall.

San Pietro D., Kammrath B.W. and De Forest P. R., 2019. Is forensic science in danger of extinction? Science & Justice, Vol. 59, Iss. 2, pp. 199-202.

Forensic science in England & Wales, a commentary Gillian Tully forensic science Regulator, 5 St Philip’s Place, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2PW, United Kingdom.

Morgan R.M., 2017. Conceptualising forensic science and forensic reconstruction. Part I: A conceptual model. Science and Justice, No. 57, pp. 455-459.

Roux C., Talbot-Wright B., Robertson J., Crispino F. and Ribeaux O., 2015. The end of the (forensic science) world as we know it? The example of trace evidence. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, No. 370. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2014.0260.

Kinder J.D. and Pirée H., 2020. The future of the forensic science providers – Time to re-think our structures? Forensic Science International, No. 316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110471.

Roux C., Crispino F. and Ribaux O., 2012. From forensics to forensic science. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, No. 24, pp. 7-24.

Published
2021-09-29
How to Cite
Stepaniuk, R. L. and Matiushkova, T. P. (2021) “Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences: Problems of Differentiation and Integration”, Bulletin of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, 94(3), pp. 263-272. doi: 10.32631/v.2021.3.24.
Section
Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics; Forensic Examination; OSA