Methodological Principles of Forensic Science
Abstract
Abstract. The methodological principles of forensic science are both the fundamental basis of science, its foundation, and open up new opportunities for the development of scientific knowledge and the practical application of forensic tools, methods, and techniques. An important component of scientific research is the solution of the multifaceted problem of forming a modern methodology for studying theoretical and practical issues relevant in forensic science. The emphasis is on methods, and the actual structure of forensic methods is presented as follows: 1) philosophical methods; 2) general scientific methods of cognition; 3) separate scientific (special) methods of forensic science. Such a structure of forensic methods is sufficiently substantiated in scientific research and has been tested at the empirical level. The importance of using the dialectical method in forensic science is emphasized; the provisions of dialectics about the ability of matter to reflect, about the interconnection and interdependence of phenomena are fundamental for forensic science. During the investigation of criminal offenses, it is possible to analyze the most diverse forms of reflection: from the simplest, associated with the contact interaction of two objects, to psychophysiological ones, when facts and circumstances are recorded in the minds of people. The difficulties of studying problems that are at the junction of several branches of science and the search for appropriate methodological tools are emphasized. These are the following relevant areas: technical and forensic support for the investigation of criminal offenses, because the branches of forensic technology are based on data from natural and technical sciences, and use the developed and proposed within these sciences and the actual forensic methodological tools; tactical and forensic support for the investigation of criminal offenses, in connection with which the tactical means, methods and techniques used are based on data from psychology, which necessitates the involvement of its methodological apparatus and methodological tools of forensics; formation of complex forensic methods for investigating criminal offenses (war crimes, corruption criminal offenses, cybercrimes), etc. Solving such problems requires synergy in scientific investigations in forensics, providing a comprehensive approach based on a system of fundamental theoretical and methodological principles.
Keywords: methodology; method; method of forensics; research; cognition; evidence; investigation; criminal offenses; forensics.
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