Prioritisation as a Tool for Enhancing the Effectiveness of Forensic Support in Criminal Investigations: Global Experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32353/khrife.2.2026.10Keywords:
prioritisation; forensic support; forensic activity; forensic examination; global experience.Abstract
The Article Purpose is to acquaint readers with the global practice of prioritisation in forensic activities using general scientific research methods, as well as systematic, functional, formal-logical and other approaches, and to define prioritisation essence, outline prioritisation focus areas in investigative and forensic expert activities, and determine ways of implementing tech-driven prioritisation in practical activities of law enforcement agencies for enhancing the efficiency of criminal investigations in the prevailing circumstances. Prioritisation is viewed as an innovative tool for enhancing the effectiveness of forensic support in criminal investigations amid digital transformation and for addressing the burgeoning scale of evidentiary material. It is demonstrated that traditional methods of analysis are becoming increasingly inefficient, whilst the implementation of prioritisation enables procedural resources to be optimised, investigation timelines to be shortened, and the accuracy of expert conclusions to be enhanced. It has been proven that in modern criminalistics, prioritisation is gradually evolving from a supporting management tool into a fundamental methodological approach. Drawing on international experience, we have identified key approaches to prioritisation (general theoretical, tactical-strategic, technical-forensic, and innovative). The significance of prioritisation as a fundamental methodological tool of modern forensic science has been underscored. In forensic practice, prioritization is fundamentally defined as a dynamic process of assessing, sorting and ranking objects (information, physical evidence, investigative actions) according to their degree of relevance, evidentiary value and risk of loss, carried out with the aim of optimising procedural resources, overcoming delays in crime investigations and ensuring the rapid attainment of results that are crucial for ascertaining the truth in a case. Promising areas for further research into the application of prioritisation in forensic activity have been singled out.
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