Initial Stage of Deliberate Murder Investigation Motivated by Racial, National or Religious Intolerance

Abstract

The Article Purpose is to specify peculiarities of the initial investigation stage of deliberate murder motivated by racial, national or religious intolerance. To fulfil this goal, the author uses general scientific and special research methods: analysis, synthesis; formal-logical; logical-legal; legal analysis. The author studies into peculiarities of the initial investigation stage of deliberate murder driven by racial, national or religious intolerance. Emphasis is made on the importance of identifying typical investigative situations at the initial investigation stage, where specific investigative (detective) actions are taken to collect information, identify signs of a crime and develop investigative leads. At this investigation stage, forensic experts solve specific tasks, assess investigative situation, identify sources of information, determine investigation direction, plan interaction with operational agencies, and collect information about crime circumstances, the victim, and the suspect. The author notes the difficulty of determining the motive of intolerance at the initial stage and the possibility of changing criminal law qualification in the course of pre-trial investigation. The paper highlights the necessity for thorough investigation at the initial stage, especially during the development of forensic methodology, to distinguish murders based on intolerance from other types of murders. It has been established that urgent investigative (search) actions at this stage are: inspecting crime scene, interrogating witnesses, and appointing and conducting forensic examinations. Classification of investigative situations based on the sources of initiation of pre-trial investigation and information components serves as the basis for efficient investigation planning.