Modern conceptual foundations of the issue of forensic biological examination

Abstract

The article reveals the development of modern science, which makes it possible to significantly expand the range of objects used in the field of forensic biological research, since biological methods play a significant role in the detection and investigation of crimes. However, this requires revision and formation of the conceptual framework of forensic biological examination. It is stated that in modern biology the concept of the object of study of biology is not defined. It is shown that in the current paradigm there is a differentiation between the concepts of "object of biology" and "object of biological research". The specificity of wildlife objects makes it possible to speak about a set of objects in the plane of structural and functional relations arising in the course of vital activity of these objects. It is proposed to understand the object of forensic biological examination as a part (tangible or intangible) of wildlife of animal or plant origin which carries information about a legal fact. The author provides objective concepts of the expediency of certain types of forensic biological examination in the framework of criminal investigation. Traces of biological origin also have certain specific properties that must be taken into account during initial investigative actions. Today, fundamentally new biological research methods are increasingly being used in expert practice: DNA analysis, as well as entomological, microbiological and botanical methods. At the same time, there are methods based on the use of biological properties of living organisms to study various objects. These are methods using biological systems to identify and establish the properties and states of forensic objects. The development of new biological methods leads to the study of new forensic objects (microbial flora, insects, sweat and blood substances that determine individual odour), the study of which will lead to the development of new types of expertise.