Separate Aspects of Evidentiary Basis Formation During the Investigation of Facts Related to Collaborationism

Abstract

The Article Purpose is to outline separate aspects of forming the evidentiary basis during the investigation of facts related to collaborationism, identify challenges, and determine ways to address them. To fulfil this goal, general scientific and specialized scientific methods have been applied. It is emphasized that the formation of the evidentiary basis during pre-trial investigation of collaboration crimes depends on the availability of witness and eyewitness testimony, the identification of which is a leading task of the investigation involving the use of various measures (i.e., government and local self-government bodies obtain information about these people and suspects or temporarily access property and documents as envisaged by law). The paper stresses that the task of investigators in investigating this type of crime is to identify private individuals, representatives of volunteer movements, or community organizations who have documented crimes associated with collaborationist activities, and to acquire information they have documented. Answers to questions arising during pre-trial investigation are contained in the expert conclusion (as a significant component of the evidentiary basis) because it is within the expert conclusion that a forensic expert provides information that he/she identified during the investigation and utilizes specific expertise that the investigator may not have possessed.