Author

Solovyov K.А.

Title of article

The importance of the forensic ballistic examination’s conclusions for establishing the circumstances of the investigated event

Section

Section 9. Criminalistic provision of law enforcement activities

Issue, year

1 (35) 2016

Abstract

The most dangerous crimes include crimes related to illegal trafficking or use of firearms. One of the most important means of proving in such cases is the forensic ballistic examination’s conclusions, which directly affect the judicial perspective of the criminal case. In such situation the evaluation of expert opinion as a proof in criminal case is of crucial importance. At the same time the expert’s professional activity is very specific and can’t be competently estimated by investigator. Forensic examination of any objects is carried out according to the approved methods, forming a single algorithm of expert’s actions. Despite the standartization of such procedures, the expert gives a subjective assessment of the discovered properties of objects, basing on the personal perception of the examination results. Besides, the approved methods of forensic examinations are often complemented by the recommendations of the central departmental forensic institutions that fix an alternative course of expert’s actions at some stages of the examination. In addition, the specialist has the right to expand the list of issues raised in the resolution of the person who appointed the examination. As a result, the evaluation of the properties of the same objects of the forensic ballistic examination by investigator may be different depending on the details of the research and specific wordings of the expert’s conclusions. To avoid errors in evaluating the examination results it’s necessary to adjust the existing methodology to specificity of modern firearms and the accumulated experience, pre-consult with the expert, carefully study the research part of the expert opinion.

Keywords

judicial and ballistics examination; firearms; ammunition; expert opinion