Peculiarities of Forensic Examination During Pre-Trial Investigation of High Treason Cases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32353/khrife.2.2025.10Keywords:
specific expertise; forensic exa- mination; procedural forms of specific exper- tise application; forensic expert; high treason; crimes against national security; pre-trial in- vestigation; expert’s opinion.Abstract
In the context of hybrid warfare and en- croachment on Ukraine’s sovereignty, the is- sue of regulatory and procedural support for pre-trial investigation of crimes against the foundations of national security, including high treason, is of paramount importance. Accordingly, the effective use of specific ex- pertise in criminal proceedings, primarily in the form of forensic examinations, gains sig- nificance. The Article Purpose is to compre- hensively exa mine the specific peculiarities of appointing and conducting forensic exami- nations as one of the procedural forms of ap- plying specific expertise in the investigation of criminal offenses that may be qualified as high treason. The methodological foundation of the study relies on general scientific and special scientific methods. The paper delves into the procedural forms of applying specific expertise and concludes that conducting fo- rensic examinations with the help of a foren- sic expert is the most effective one. It further analyzes and substan tiates the appropriate- ness of appointing forensic examinations that are essential in revealing the truth in criminal proceedings concerning high treason. In par- ticular, the article outlines the most relevant and commonly applied types of forensic exa- minations, such as computer, video and sound recording analysis, linguistic (semantic-tex- tual), forensic examin ations related to state secrets, and forensic portrait examinations, which are typically appointed and conducted at the stage of pre-trial investigation of crimi- nal offenses classified as high treason. It is em- phasized that this list of the most in-demand forensic examinations conducted during in- vestigations of criminal offenses, outlined in Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, is not exhaustive.
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Pro zareiestrovani kryminalni pravoporushennia ta rezultaty yikh dosudovoho rozsliduvannia 2013—2025 [On registered criminal offenses and the results of their pre-trial investiga- tion 2013–2025] (2025) / Ofis Heneralnoho prokurora Ukrainy : vebsait. URL: https:// gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/pro-zareyestrovan- ikriminalni-pravoporushennya-ta-rezul- tati-yih-dosudovogo-rozsliduvannya-2 [in Ukrainian].
Scherbakovsky, M. G. (2018). Essence, Structure, and Objectives of Special Knowledge Use for Legal Proceedings. Theory and Practice of Forensic Science and Criminalistics. Vol. 18. DOI: 10.32353/khrife.2018.20.
Shepitko, V. Iu., Konovalova, V. O., Zhura- vel, V. A. ta in. (2008). Kryminalistyka [Criminalistics] : pidruchnyk / za red. prof. V. Iu. Shepitka. 4-te vyd, pererob. i dopov. Kharkiv. URL: https://law.sspu.edu.ua/files/ documents/books/library/17/shepitko.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Sliusarchuk, I., Varenia, N. (2019). Sutnist pidryvnoi diialnosti [The Essence of Sub- versive Activities]. Pidpryiemnytstvo, hos- podarstvo i pravo. № 9. DOI: 10.32849/2663- 5313/2019.9.37 [in Ukrainian].
Stetsyk, B. V., Marko, S. I. (2022). Metodyka provedennia sudovoi kompiuterno-tekh- nichnoi ekspertyzy [Methods of Forensic Computer and Technical Examinations]. Yurydychnyi naukovyi elektronnyi zhurnal. № 1. DOI: 10.32782/2524-0374/2022-1/74 [in Ukrainian].
Boichenko, S. B., Boiarov, V. I., Budko, T. V., Varfolomeieva, T. V. ta in. (2015). Ekspertyzy u sudochynstvi Ukrainy [Expert Examina- tions in the Judiciary of Ukraine] : nauk.- prakt. posib. / za zah. red. V. H. Honcharen- ka ta I. V. Hory. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
Budko, T. V. (2015). Sudovo-linhvistychna eks pertyza: obiektyvna neobkhidnist ta subiek tyvni faktory halmuvannia yii roz- vytku [Forensic Linguistic Examination: Objective Necessity and Subjective Fac- tors Impeding Its Development]. Sudo- vo-ekspertna diialnist: suchasnyi stan ta perspektyvy rozvytku : mat-ly kruhl. stolu. (Kyiv, 23.04.2015). Kyiv. URL: https://elar. naiau.kiev.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/ bf952a6c-674c-449a-9224-7ed3cabd83c3/ content [in Ukrainian].
Budko, T. V. (2017). Problemni pytannia sudovo-lin- hvistychnoi semantyko-tekstualnoi ekspertyzy movlennia ta rekomendatsii shchodo yikh vyrishennia (na materialakh kryminalnykh provadzhen) [Problematic issues of foren- sic-linguistic semantic-textual examination of speech and recommendations for their solution (on content of criminal proceed- ings)] : monohrafiia. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
Budko, T. V. (2020). Zahalna metodyka sudovo-lin- hvistychnoi semantyko-tekstualnoi ekspertyzy [General Methodology of Forensic Linguis- tic Semantic and Textual Analysis]. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
Herasymiv, O., Riashko, O. (2023). Problemy rozsliduvannia derzhavnoi zrady v umo- vakh voiennoho stanu [Challenges in In- vestigating High Treason under Martial Law Conditions]. Omul, criminologia, şti- inţa : conferința științifică internațională (Chişinău, 24 martie 2023). Chişinău, 2023. Ed. Ediția a II. Vol. 1. URL: https://ibn.idsi. md/sites/default/files/imag_file/382-384_0. pdf [in Ukrainian].
Honcharenko, V. H., Kurdiukov, V. V., Leh- kykh, K. V. (2007). Spetsialni znannia: henezys, predmet, rivni, formy vykorys- tannia v dokazuvanni [Special Knowledge: Genesis, Subject Matter, Levels, and Forms of Use in Evidence]. Visnyk Akademii advoka- tury Ukrainy. Vyp. 9. URL: http://nbuv.gov. ua/UJRN/vaau_2007_2_5 [in Ukrainian].
Hora, I. V. (2021). Vykorystannia spetsialnykh znan v haluzi sudovoi kompiuterno-tekh- nichnoi ekspertyzy v dosudovomu rozslidu- vanni zlochyniv proty osnov natsionalnoi bezpeky Ukrainy [Use of Special Knowledge in the Field of Forensic Computer and Tech- nical Examination in the Pre-Trial Investi- gation of Crimes Against the Foundations of Ukraine’s National Security]. Informa- tsiina bezpeka liudyny, suspilstva, derzhavy. № 1—3 (31—33). URL: https://journals.uran. ua/ispss/article/view/260272 [in Ukrainian].
Hora, I. V., Kolesnyk, V. A. (1999). Krymina- listychni ekspertyzy ta doslidzhennia, shcho provodiatsia u systemi pravookhoronnykh or- haniv Ukrainy [Forensic examinations and researches conducted in the system of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine] : nauk.- prakt. posib. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
Hora, I. V., Kolesnyk, V. A. (2024). Aktualni py- tannia kryminalistychnoho zabezpechen- nia dosudovoho rozsliduvannia zlochyniv proty informatsiinoi bezpeky derzhavy [Current Issues of Criminalistic Support for the Pre-Trial Investigation of Crimes Against the State’s Information Security]. Krymi- nalistyka i sudova ekspertyza. Vyp. 69. DOI: 10.33994/kndise.2024.69.02 [in Ukrainian].
Hora, I. V., Kolesnyk, V. A., Popovych, I. I. (2024). Vykorystannia spetsialnykh znan pry dos- lidzhenni videozapysiv dorozhno-trans- portnykh podii, yaki otrymani za dopomo- hoiu prystroiv tsyfrovoi fiksatsii [The use of special knowledge in the study of video recordings of road traffic events obtained with the help of digital recording devices]. Naukovyi visnyk Mizhnarodnoho humanitar- noho universytetu. Seriia: Yurysprudentsiia. № 67. DOI: 10.32782/2307-1745.2024.67.12 [in Ukrainian].
Khodanovych, V. O. (2013). Rol sudovo- avtoroznavchoi ta psykholinhvistychnoi ekspertyzy v dokazuvanni u kryminalnykh provadzhenniakh pro zlochyny ekstre- mistskoi spriamovanosti [The Role of Fo- rensic Authorship and Psycholinguistic Examination in Proving Criminal Offenses of an Extremist Nature]. Aktualni problemy dokazuvannia u kryminalnomu provadzhen- ni : mat-ly Vseukr. nauk.-prakt. internet- konf. Odesa [in Ukrainian].
Komar, Yu. M. (2019). Vyznachennia poniattia «spetsialni znannia» ta yikh vykorystannia u kryminalnomu provadzhenni [Definition of the Term “Special Knowledge” and Its Application in Criminal Proceedings]. Teo- riia ta praktyka sudovo-ekspertnoi diialnosti : mat-ly VIII mizhvidom. nauk.-prakt. konf. Kyiv. URI: https://elar.navs.edu.ua/server/ api/core/bitstreams/7d622e08-974f-42ed- 8139-c273dbd99567/content [in Ukrainian].
Kononenko, Yu. S. (2024). Osnovy metodyky roz- sliduvannia derzhavnoi zrady [Fundamentals of the methodology of investigation of state treason] : dys. … d-ra filos. v haluzi prava. Odesa. URL: https://oduvs.edu.ua/uploads/ Kononenko_disertacziya_281fe3077c.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Kryvonos, M. V., Bondar, V. S. (2017). Teo- riia ta praktyka vykorystannia spetsialnykh znan v rozsliduvanni zlochyniv u sferi obi- hu narkotychnykh zasobiv, psykhotropnykh rechovyn, yikh analohiv abo prekursoriv [Theory and Practice of Using Special Knowledge in the Investigation of Crimes Involving Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Their Analogues or Precur- sors] : monohrafiia. Sievierodonetsk. URL: https://rep.dnuvs.ukr.education/server/api/ core/bitstreams/5e9497a0-fbdf-4d12-95a9- 72d3d1259735/content [in Ukrainian].
Kuzmichov, V. S., Pyrih, I. V. (2008). Vykorys- tannia spetsialnykh znan pry rozsliduvanni rozkradan vantazhiv na zaliznychnomu trans- porti [Application of Special Knowledge in the Investigation of Cargo Thefts in Rail- way Transport] : monohrafiia. Dniprope- trovsk. URI: https://er.dduvs.edu.ua/han- dle/123456789/2359 [in Ukrainian].
Luhina, N. A., Demianenko, S. V. (2023). Оsobly- vosti taktyky slidchykh (rozshukovykh) dii u provadzhenniakh pro derzhavnu zradu [Peculiarities of the Tactics of Investigative (Search) Actions in High Treason Proceed- ings]. Irpinskyi yurydychnyi chasopys. Vyp. 3 (12). DOI: 10.33244/2617-4154-3(12)-2023- 260-268 [in Ukrainian].
Medynska, L. V. (2014). Vykorystannia spetsial- nykh znan u kryminalnomu provadzhenni Ukrainy [Application of special knowledge in criminal process of Ukraine]. Prykar- patskyi yurydychnyi visnyk. Vyp. 2 (5). URL: http://www.pjv.nuoua.od.ua/v2_2014/27.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Pro zareiestrovani kryminalni pravoporushennia ta rezultaty yikh dosudovoho rozsliduvannia 2013—2025 [On registered criminal offenses and the results of their pre-trial investiga- tion 2013–2025] (2025) / Ofis Heneralnoho prokurora Ukrainy : vebsait. URL: https:// gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/pro-zareyestrovan- ikriminalni-pravoporushennya-ta-rezul- tati-yih-dosudovogo-rozsliduvannya-2 [in Ukrainian].
Scherbakovsky, M. G. (2018). Essence, Structure, and Objectives of Special Knowledge Use for Legal Proceedings. Theory and Practice of Forensic Science and Criminalistics. Vol. 18. DOI: 10.32353/khrife.2018.20.
Shepitko, V. Iu., Konovalova, V. O., Zhura- vel, V. A. ta in. (2008). Kryminalistyka [Criminalistics] : pidruchnyk / za red. prof. V. Iu. Shepitka. 4-te vyd, pererob. i dopov. Kharkiv. URL: https://law.sspu.edu.ua/files/ documents/books/library/17/shepitko.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Sliusarchuk, I., Varenia, N. (2019). Sutnist pidryvnoi diialnosti [The Essence of Sub- versive Activities]. Pidpryiemnytstvo, hos- podarstvo i pravo. № 9. DOI: 10.32849/2663- 5313/2019.9.37 [in Ukrainian].
Stetsyk, B. V., Marko, S. I. (2022). Metodyka provedennia sudovoi kompiuterno-tekh- nichnoi ekspertyzy [Methods of Forensic Computer and Technical Examinations]. Yurydychnyi naukovyi elektronnyi zhurnal. № 1. DOI: 10.32782/2524-0374/2022-1/74 [in Ukrainian].
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Published
2025-08-09
How to Cite
Bosak, I. (2025). Peculiarities of Forensic Examination During Pre-Trial Investigation of High Treason Cases. Theory and Practice of Forensic Science and Criminalistics, 39(2), 133–147. https://doi.org/10.32353/khrife.2.2025.10
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