THE SYSTEM OF FORENSIC SCIENCE: HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT, MODERN APPROACHES TO ITS CHANGE

Abstract

The scientific article, based on a systematic analysis, in accordance with
the set goal, reveals the stages of development of the science of
forensics, considers debatable issues regarding the improvement of
the system of forensics, increasing the number of parts, specifying its
system, the interdependence of the subject and the system; analyzes
the current legislation on criminal liability and criminal procedural
legislation and states the quasi-scientific approaches of individual
scientists to changing the subject and system of forensic science.
During the research, a combination of general scientific (analysis,
analogy, comparison, methods of formal logic, modeling) and special
methods (retrospective analysis, comparative law, systemic-structural,
activity-transformative) of scientific knowledge was applied. The
scientific novelty lies in proving the groundlessness of changing the
definition of “crime” to the unscientific construct of “criminal offense”,
and of unfounded changes to the subject and system of forensic science.
In addition, the modern traditional definition of forensic science as the
science of the regularities of the mechanism of crime, the appearance
of information about the crime and its participants, the regularities of
collecting, researching, evaluating, and using evidence, and special
methods and means of pre-trial investigation and trial and crime
prevention based on the knowledge of these regularities, is
substantiated. It has been established that the system of forensics as a
holistic conceptual formation encompasses interconnected,
inseparable elements of the general theory of forensics, forensic
techniques, forensic tactics, and methods of investigating certain
types of crimes. Such a system is consistent with the principle of
systematicity, has been tested in practice and recognized by most
scientific forensic schools. The practical significance of the
researching lies in proving the feasibility of using the scientific
and legal term “crime” in forensic science and law
enforcement practice.