The Impact of Psychological Features of Interethnic Perception on the Quality of Investigative Activities in a Multicultural Society

The paper addresses the systemic problem of how psychological features of interethnic perception affect the objectivity of law enforcement activities in a multicultural society. Central attention is given to the phenomenon of the cross-race effect — a consistent reduction in the accuracy of identifying individuals of a different ethnic background. From the standpoint of cognitive psychology, this effect is explained through the mechanisms of configurational and fragmentary strategies for processing visual information. The author analyses how implicit biases and ethnic stereotypes can determine key aspects of investigative work, including the assessment of evidence, the formulation of investigative hypotheses, the dynamics of interrogation, and the construction of a psychological profile of the offender. It is emphasized that neglecting these cognitive and sociopsychological mechanisms leads to procedural errors, unjustified criminalization, and a decline in public trust in law enforcement institutions. As a solution, the paper proposes a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach that includes the modernization of professional training for law enforcement officers, the development of specialized methodological guidelines, and strengthened collaboration with the academic community.