On the initiative of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the 1st International Scientific and Practical Conference «Current Issues of Forensic Expertology, Criminalistics and Criminal Procedure» was held.
The event took place with the assistance and based on the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The organizers were also the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine and the National School of Judges of Ukraine.
The scientific event brought together a round table of leading Ukrainian and foreign scientists, scientists and practitioners who are the founders of modern forensic science and criminology in general. Prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, experts and research and academic staff were present at the conference.
In his welcoming speech, Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, stressed that the conference is held based on one of the oldest and largest educational institutions in Ukraine: «Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv recently celebrated its 185th anniversary. It has been shared with the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise for about 80 years, but the histories of both institutions are closely intertwined. For many years, prominent forensic scientists, who stood at the origins of forensic science and criminology in modern Ukraine, combined the work of academics and experts, strengthened the cooperation of the two institutions».
In memory of the anniversary date and the holding of the conference, the director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise presented to the staff of the Kyiv University a picture with a replica of the first conclusions of forensic examinations dated 1913.
Oleksandr Ruvin also noted that the modern Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise has something to be proud of and continues its development path. The Institute’s specialists carry out more than 95 types of forensic examinations and expert research, international cooperation is developing dynamically, and scientific work is being carried out.
«Today we present to our participants a modern publication in the field of forensic examination a textbook “Forensic examinations in the procedural law of Ukraine”. Its appearance is caused by changes in procedural legislation, the development of the provisions of the theory of forensic science and forensic examination, as well as the need to update didactic material, said Oleksandr Ruvin, We hope that the publication will become recurring and annually cover the classic and innovative expert experience».
The Head of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise wished the conference participants fruitful work and success in the implementation of future scientific achievements.
Then the floor was given to Viktor Martyniuk, Vice-Rector for Research, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. He wished the participants good work and noted the importance of making specific results and practical recommendations for the meeting of specialists, which could be conveyed to senior management in order to develop and strengthen the field of forensic examination and forensic science.
Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Ivan Hrytsenko noted that the cooperation of the Faculty of Law with the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise is extremely important for the training of specialists in this particular field.
«I am sure our cooperation has good prospects in the future, because today we have an agreement on the creation of a forensic examination center on the basis of the University and a number of other joint projects», said Ivan Hrytsenko and wished the participants an active discussion.
The representatives of the international expert community also addressed the audience with welcoming words. Director of the National Bureau of Expertise of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Argam Hovsepyan and Olga Kataraga, the Director of the National Center for Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova noted that they highly value cooperation with the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. They expressed gratitude to Director Oleksandr Ruvin for supporting the development of international scientific events.
As part of the conference, the speakers presented to the audience speeches on the history of the development and formation of forensic science and forensic examination, the introduction of modern methods of work and the emergence of new types of forensic examinations.
The agenda contained scientific reports on the following topics:
- «Current issues of forensic examination development on the example of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine»;
- «Historical milestones in the development of forensic examination in Ukraine»;
- «The standard of proof “reasonable suspicion»;
- «Problems of the theory and practice of forensic science in the context of reforming criminal proceedings in Ukraine»;
- «Reformatting the subject-zonal principle of organizing the activities of the prosecutor’s office»;
- «Methodologies as a reflection of the integrative essence of forensic science»;
- «Appointment of an expert examination by the court at the request of a party to criminal proceedings».
In general, the conference was held in a friendly scientific atmosphere, participants shared their experiences, opinions and planned future cooperation activities.
It is pleasant to note that the event on the official website of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes ‒ ENFSI.
The staff of the Kyiv Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine expresses its sincere gratitude to the authors and readers of the textbook “Forensic examinations in Procedural Law of Ukraine” and participants of the 1st International Scientific and Practical Conference «Current Issues of Forensic Expertology, Criminalistics and Criminal Procedure».
