The object of study in the typical methodology for investigating crimes against the family and minors

Introduction. It is obvious that thorough and prompt investigation of crimes against the family and minors is one of the most important state tasks, since the family is a cornerstone of Russian society, and minor citizens are its present and, most mportantly, its future. The main objective of investigating crimes in general, and those discussed in this article in particular, is not only to identify the guilty parties but also to prevent such crimes. For this reason, the development of appropriate investigation methodologies should be considered a priority forensic task. However, the methodology for such development initially requires defining the object in accordance with which this methodology will be formed, as its system and structure depend on the correct definition of the object. For this reason, this issue is particularly relevant for criminalistic research. Methods. The methods are determined by the range of scientific tasks aimed at identifying and resolving problems related to the detection of current crimes committed against the family and minors. This helps to define the system and structure of their investigation methodologies. The study employed the following methods: comparative legal, descriptive, analysis and synthesis, classification, and others. We studied scientific research materials presented in dissertations, monographs, journal articles, and other sources. Results. The article provides a critical analysis of the views of legal scholars on the concepts of ‘object’ and ‘family’, which made it possible to identify objective problems related to understanding these concepts, including objects of forensic research and cognition. This enabled the author to appropriately argue their position regarding these concepts. The study formulates conclusions aimed at resolving the identified problem, which are relevant for both forensic science and the practical work of law enforcement agencies. The paper provides a justification for the definition of the object in the typical methodology for the investigation of crimes against the family and minors.