The need and possibilities for using specialized knowledge in detecting and investigating crimes in the field of defense procurement

The article reveals the scientific foundations of the use of special knowledge in the investigation of crimes in the field of defense procurement, which are based on the study of the provisions of criminal procedure, forensics, the theory of forensic examination, as well as on the law enforcement practice of law enforcement agencies. It is noted that a significant proportion of crimes in the field of defense procurement are associated with the criminal actions of government officials and heads of state institutions, whose powers include organizing procurement and monitoring the fulfillment of contract terms. Such offenses are characterized: they are multi-episode, latent for a long time, committed by groups of people, leave specific traces both in the traditional forensic sense and traces in the form of electronic information in computer systems or specific mobile, portable devices. When committing these types of criminal offenses, criminals prepare and use documents to create a false impression of the legality of their actions. The importance of using specialized knowledge when investigating crimes in the field of defense procurement in the form of ordering and conducting forensic examinations is emphasized, in particular: forensic (examination of materials, substances and products, technical examination of documents, linguistic examination, etc.); forensic economic, forensic commodity examination, etc. It is noted that in cases where the subject of the crime is state property, forensic accounting, technological examinations are conducted to resolve the issue of the amount of damage caused, the procedure for drawing up and passing financial documents, and compliance with the production technology of a particular product. The specifics of expert research in criminal proceedings on crimes in the field of defense procurement require the use of a comprehensive approach. Among the main shortcomings associated with the appointment of forensic examinations in this area, the following have been identified: unclear understanding by investigators of the subject of the examination; failure to appoint examinations when they are necessary; incorrect formulation of questions to the expert; posing a limited range of questions to the expert that do not take into account all the circumstances of the criminal offense; posing questions to the expert that go beyond his competence. It is concluded that forensic examinations of cases of crimes in the field of defense procurement are distinguished by the complex and multi-stage nature of the tasks to be solved, the specific features of the objects of research, which are multi-component events and evidence of the commission and concealment of a crime.