THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF FORMING THE STANDARD COST OF FORENSIC EXPERT SERVICES

The formation of the cost of forensic expert services is a complex but critically important process for ensuring the effectiveness of forensic expert activities and supporting business. The relevance of the study is confirmed by the fact that the lack of a unified methodology for calculating the standard cost of an hour of work of forensic experts (expert hour) creates risks of underestimation or overestimation of the cost of services. This can lead to unequal conditions for market participants, including state and private institutions. The purpose of the study is to determine the main theoretical aspects of the formation of the standard cost of an hour of work of forensic experts (expert hour). The main factors affecting the cost of an hour of work of forensic experts are analyzed. An analysis of the positive and negative consequences of changing the cost of forensic expert services is conducted. It is noted that the cost of forensic expert services is an important factor that affects various aspects of the functioning of the judicial system and the economy as a whole. On the one hand, low cost increases the availability of expertise, but can negatively affect their quality. On the other hand, high cost may limit access to expertise, but stimulate the development of the industry. The main directions for optimizing the impact of the cost of expert services on the business environment are identified. It is established that an important element of assessing the cost of expert services is labor rationing, including determining the time required to perform a specific job. It is noted that the expert hour is a means of standardizing the expertise process and serves as a basis for fairly determining its cost. The study proves the need to develop a unified methodology for calculating the cost of forensic expert services. Attention is focused on the transparency of the process of forming the cost of an expert’s hour of work, which should be the basis for a single methodology for calculating an expert hour. Transparency ensures fairness, efficiency and development of the expert services market. An important aspect is also the improvement of the qualifications of experts and the introduction of new technologies, which can contribute to reducing costs without losing quality.