The delegation of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute for Forensic Expertise, consisting of Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of the Scientific Research Institute for Forensic Expertise, Nataliia Nestor, Deputy Director, Iryna Bilous, Head of the Department of Handwriting Research of the Laboratory of Criminalistics and Nataliia Baiurko, the junior research associate of the Laboratory of the Organization of Expert Activities, took part in the international scientific and practical conference “Urgent Issues of Forensic Expert Activity. Formation – Development – Achievements.”
The event was organized on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of Odesa Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise and the birthday of Mykola P. Makarenko, one of the founders and the first head of the Odesa Cabinet of Forensic Science.
The honorable date emphasizes the experience and importance of Ukrainian forensic expertise activity since the moment of establishment in 1913, the Cabinet of Forensic Science in the cities of Kyiv and Odessa at a high professional level provided the needs of justice and served for the benefit of truth.
In a welcoming speech on behalf of the Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko, which has been read at the opening of the official part, it was going the following: “The difficult path from the Cabinet to the Institute, the difficulties and obstacles, the mistakes and their correction, the disappointment and achievements, the fall and recovery are all integral components of the living organism which is Odesa Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. The main aspects of your activity are unity in achieving the goal and establishing the truth for the establishment of the rule of law in our state. Let your institution always be accompanied by the recognition, professional success and worthy of gratitude to those who are in need of your knowledge and skills.”
On behalf of the staff of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of KFI congratulated the colleagues form Odesa. In a welcoming speech, Director of KFI noted that in the conditions of introduction of new and especially dangerous forms of crime, forensic expertise is becoming an increasingly important tool during the pre-trial investigation and judicial review of criminal proceedings, judicial consideration of cases under other types of legal proceedings and the establishment of justice in Ukraine as a whole. In this aspect, the experience of previous generations is especially important.
“Odesa and Kyiv Research Institutes were founded 105 years ago and now we have something to be proud of. We have common tasks regarding European development of forensic expert activity, implementation of active international cooperation, exchange of experience and information with leading expert institutions of the world, improvement of methodological and logistical support. The generalization of expert practice testifies that forensic examination actually covers almost all spheres of human life. The work of a forensic expert is directly related to the life of citizens. As a component of the justice system, it forms the level of citizens’ security, their right to an independent, qualified, focused on using the latest achievements in science and technology of forensic expertise,” said Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, and wished the colleagues of Odesa Scientific Research Institute of forensic Expertise move forward, the development and prosperity as well.
The honorary guests of the event were representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine represented by Oleksandr Oliinyk, the Department of Justice and National Security and Yurii Moiseiev, Director of the Department on Litigation and bankruptcy of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
“Forensic expertise in Ukraine has great potential. Today, we have a significant number of scientific works and methodologies that are taken to work and successfully implemented at the highest level are expert scientific events. It’s probably hard to find another community that puts more soul into the thing that it does. I wish all of you interesting, fruitful, scientific and professional discussions on the results of which, I am sure, new ideas will emerge – the future basis of scientific developments,” said Oleksandr Oliinyk, Director of the Department of Justice and National Security.
The International Scientific and Practical Conference has become another productive platform for the exchange of opinions, the reconciliation of theoretical positions and the scientific work of specialists. The main thematic areas of the conference included:
- general theoretical and historical and legal issues of the development of the Institute of Forensic Expertise;
- legal aspects of the formation and development of the institution of forensic expertise;
- issues of interaction of forensic institutions with judicial and law enforcement agencies;
- criminal procedural aspects of functioning of the Institute of Forensic Expertise;
- features of legislative support for the participation of forensic experts in criminal, civil, administrative and economic proceedings;
- international legal aspects of scientific and methodological support of forensic expert activity and interaction in the field of conducting forensic examinations, etc.
The event contributed to the active development of strategies for the development and modernization of forensic expertise, the exchange of experience and the establishment of communication between specialists from different countries.
Artem Ripenko, Director of the Odesa Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, thanked the participants for their attention to the event and noted the importance of developing modern expertise that is formed on the basis of existing practice: “If you ask the question, what is Odesa Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise today, then we can say with confidence that all the time it retained the authenticity of the spirit. For 105 years, generations of forensic experts, buildings and equipment have changed, techniques have been constantly improved, but now the institution is holistic and identical to itself. The hard work of teachers and students gradually passed on the knowledge that modern generations use. So it was possible to preserve the integrity and image of our institution.”
