Kapustina M. Methodology for Investigating Consignment Thefts from Railways Committed by Organized Groups

Dissertation is a monograph-type study that develops a concept of methodology for investigating consignment thefts from railways committed by organized groups based on contemporary canons of criminalist theory and representative pool of the criminal cases. It provides recommendations aimed to improve and maximize effectiveness of the investigative and operational units as to the detection and investigation of this category of thefts. The paper presents criminalist characteristics of the consignment thefts from railways committed by organized groups as an informative and descriptive model, defines its elements and in detail analyzes each of the elements with respect to the results of the organization of the judicial and investigative practices. Special attention is paid to the study of the criminal groups specializing in consignment thefts from railways; the paper suggests a possible classification of such groups depending on their composition and relation to railways. The author makes recommendations as to the tactics of the crime scene inspection, questioning of witnesses, suspects (accused), ordering and performing forensic traces examinations. The author determines typical investigative situations of the initial investigation stage for the consignment thefts from railways committed by organized groups and provides programs (algorithms) for the investigator to handle them.