Fundamental Principles of Forensic Expert Activity and Psychological Science in Service of Resolving Forensic Psychological Examination Tasks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32353/khrife.1.2025.10Keywords:
forensic activity; forensic examination; basic principles of psychology; forensic psychological examination; principles of independence, legitimacy, objectivity; rule of law principle; completeness of research; reflection of connection between psyche and activity; principle of development; principle of systemic nature; principle of professional ethics.Abstract
Legal regulations and literary sources on the issues of forensic expert activity and the science of psychology have been analyzed.
The paper substantiates grounds for differentiating the principles of forensic expert activity and psychology and their influence on the performance of forensic psychological examination tasks. While preparing the article, the author used general, individual, and special methods of cognition. Since the Fundamental Law of Ukraine proclaims the recognition and operation of the rule of law principle in the State, it is proposed to supplement Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine “On Judicial Examination” with this principle. The author proves that the principle of legitimacy is enforced in various ways: the legislation envisages liability for both a forensic expert’ offenses as well as for offenses against a forensic expert. Researchers have been supported on the need to amend the Criminal Code of Ukraine in the aspect of increasing liability for exerting unlawful pressure on a forensic expert. It is emphasized that the principle of independence is one of the key principles underpinning the effective execution of forensic expert activity. Moreover, guarantees ensuring the independence of forensic experts have been considered. The research paper discusses controversial issues of implementing the principles of objectivity and research completeness. The author analyzes the main groups of psychological science principles: derived from philosophy, general psychological and specific scientific (sectoral) principles. Emphasis is made on the fact that the principles of forensic expert activity along with the basic principles of psychology form a strong foundation for a forensic psychological examination (provided that scientifically sound and proven methods and techniques that have been certified and registered by the State and are essential for conducting forensic examinations in this field have been used).
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