USE OF THE RESULTS OF IDENTIFICATION FORENSIC BALLISTIC EXPERTISE IN THE PROCESS OF DISCLOSURE AND INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES

Abstract

The article examines the features of using the results of forensic ballistics identification in the process of solving and investigating criminal offenses. Current problems are caused by the importance attached to the expert’s conclusion related to the identification of weapons by fired projectiles (bullets, shot, buckshot). It is substantiated that at the stage of pre-trial investigation, the expert’s conclusion can serve as a means of: searching for direct and indirect evidence and verifying their reliability; verifying the testimony of the suspect, as well as the testimony of the victim, witnesses and other data related to the subject of evidence; reproducing the complete picture of the criminal offense under investigation, because the only direct evidence, serving as the basis for conclusions about the circumstances of the criminal offense, does not always reflect the actual picture of the act. It is noted that the basis of the expert’s conclusion on the presence or absence of identity is the principles of forensic identification. In this regard, the investigator, assessing the reliability of the expert opinion, must clarify the following provisions: whether the expert was guided by the principles of forensic identification when formulating the conclusions and what factual data established during the study confirms this; whether the expert adhered to the research methodology; whether the conditions of storage and operation of the weapon preceding the study were taken into account; whether the set of matching features is sufficient in qualitative and quantitative terms to conclude on identity; whether the differences in features are significant and how is this objectively explained.