Forensic Attribution of Artificial Pathogens within the Evidentiary Framework of Criminal Cases Concerning the Development and Use of Genetically Engineered Weapons

The article substantiates the concept of criminalistic attribution of artificial pathogens as an interdisciplinary field integrating the diagnosis of artificial origin, identification of the source and proof of connection with the subject of the crime. There are three levels of attribution: diagnostic (identification of markers of artificiality), identification (identification of the source laboratory) and evidentiary (procedural confirmation). The classification of types of genetically engineered weapons by the mechanism of trace formation is proposed. A system of genomic, epigenomic, functional, and forensic markers of artificiality has been developed. Based on international practice, the evidentiary significance of attribution is shown. It is concluded that it is necessary to create specialized reference databases and departmental investigation methods.