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The Investigative Committee holds briefing on organization of in-house research activities

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Alexander Bastrykin held a briefing on the organization of research activities in the Investigative Committee. The meeting was attended by the management and employees of the Main Forensics Directorate (Forensics Center) and Human Resources Directorate of the Investigative Committee, the Moscow and St. Petersburg Academies of the Investigative Committee, as well as Professor of the Forensics Department of the Kikotya Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Legal Sciences, veteran of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Alexander Volynsky.

The participants of the event discussed the level and results of the work done in the framework of research activities, as well as identified trends for further development.

Opening the meeting, Alexander Bastrykin raised a number of issues related to the implementation of these efforts, including the staffing of research institutes of the Academies and the Main Forensics Directorate (Forensics Center), the graduation of postgraduates, and the functioning of the Scientific Advisory Council.

In the course of the meeting, reports of representatives of educational organizations on the directions of research work and its results were heard. For instance, according to Acting Rector of the Moscow Academy Anatoly Bagmet, the staff of the institution has prepared and published a number of monographs and educational and methodical recommendations on the investigation of criminal cases on cybercrime, economic crimes, crimes of past years, the facts of unknown disappearance of people, and others. A special library has been set up, where the works of faculty members on a preliminary investigation of various categories of crimes with samples of procedural documents have been collected. All materials are used in the educational process, as well as by the operating staff of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

Anatoly Baghmet also noted that together with the staff of the Main Forensics Directorate work is being done to create a guidebook for investigators, which will allow beginners to quickly navigate and solve practical issues.

Elena Emelyanova, Director of the Law Institute of the St. Petersburg Academy of Law of the Russian Federation, reported on the training of post-graduate students and master’s students, as well as on the research and inventive activities carried out. At present, the university carries out a number of thematic research works, including the methodology of application of uncalculated identification in the production of forensic genetic examinations and the methodology of production of complex socio-psychological and linguistic forensic examinations in criminal cases of extremist orientation. Within the framework of inventive activity, a device for freezing and cold transportation of biological items is patented as a useful model, the authors of which are fourth-year students under the supervision of senior research fellow of the Academy’s R&D Institute. A sample forensic technique is being developed to remove biological traces from the snow with a view to patenting it as an invention. Several innovative proposals have been prepared jointly with the Kirov Military Medical Academy.

At the same time, the representatives of the Academies stressed that actively developing scientific activity was not progressing to the detriment of the educational process. On the contrary, students of educational institutions were maximally involved in this area of activity, thus developing student science.

In addition, the latest achievements were reported by the head of the Main Forensics Directorate (Forensics Center) Sigmund Lojis and the head of the Research and Development Directorate Alexey Bessonov. As explained by Sigmund Lojis, one of the main areas of work of the Forensic Research and Development Institute was the import substitution of forensic equipment, including laboratory equipment and consumables. To move forward in this area of activity allowed interaction not only with manufacturers of forensic equipment but also with research and educational institutions, including the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Within the framework of the said efforts a number of software products, the equipment and account materials of domestic manufacture were selected and referred for testing to the relevant departments of the Main Forensics Directorate, including the multirange flatbed scanner; the software intended for automation of manufacture of fingerprint and habitus examinations; the device for definition of super small concentration of explosives, narcotics and poisonous substances. The participants of the meeting were demonstrated the developments of domestic production: unmanned aerial vehicle, which will be equipped with cameras to solve forensic problems in various conditions, equipment for the study of computer information and electronic devices, a source of expert light, which will allow to identify a wider range of types of physical impact on the victim’s body.

Having heard the speakers, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia stressed the need to create a dissertation council within the framework of the Moscow Academy of the Investigative Committee of Russia, in connection with which he instructed his subordinates to work on the issue of its formation. In addition, he demanded that the methodological work be expanded to ensure that all available techniques were incorporated into the criminal investigative practice on site. At the same time, Alexander Bastrykin emphasized that psychological and sociological aspects should be taken into account and studied when conducting individual case studies. Also, in order to improve the scientific activity as a whole, the Chairman instructed to develop a legal action in the shortest possible time, including the provisions on the coordinator of scientific activity in the Investigative Committee of Russia, its directions and the order of dissemination of positive experience.

At the end of the session, Alexander Bastrykin offered to Alexander Volynsky, who took an active part in the discussion of the issues raised, to cooperate in order to update and further improve the scientific activity of the Investigative Committee. The guest of the event, noting the fullness and efficiency of the Committee’s forensic service, gratefully accepted the proposal.