Nevgad V. Methodology of Investigating Intentional Homicides Committed in a Manner Dangerous to the Lives of Many Individuals

The author of the dissertation has accomplished theoretical generalization and has provided a new solution of the scientific problem, which is revealed in the development of a separate forensic methodology for investigating intentional homicides committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many individuals. The forensic characteristic of this group of murders has been developed. On the basis of generalization of investigative and judicial practice the author has obtained typical information about the situation and the means for their commission. The structural construction of the manners of such murders has been established; the most common methods for their preparation, direct commission and concealment have been singled out. The generalized statistical data on typical material traces of these crimes has been provided. The main socio-demographic, moral and psychological features of an offender’s personality and the victim have been studied. Particular attention has been paid to individuals with experience of military service or service in law enforcement agencies, including combat experience, and to those who use special skills in handling with firearms and explosive devices while committing murders. The author has provided recommendations on the peculiarities of the commencement of criminal proceedings on the fact of intentional homicide committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many individuals. The author has determined the list of circumstances to be clarified; the tactical tasks of the initial stage of the investigation have been analyzed. Type-design practice of investigative situations of the initial and subsequent stages of the investigation has been carried out; algorithms of investigator’s actions in each situation have been offered. The author has improved the provisions regarding the organization and conduction of typical tactical operations during the pre-trial investigation of this crime category. The author has developed scientific and practical recommendations on the organization and tactics of conducting an overview of the crime scene, the inspection of a corpse, interrogation of victims, witnesses and suspects, and the investigative experiment. The author has determined and analyzed the forms of using special knowledge while investigating intentional homicides committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many individuals. The author has accomplished the systematization of forensic examinations appointed for this category of criminal proceedings, the list of their tasks, recommendations for the preparation of objects and evaluation of the results. In particular, the author has studied forensic examination of corpses and vivid personalities, immunological and cytological researches, molecular and genetic examination, forensic and medical examination according to the results of the investigative experiment, forensic and psychiatric examination, explosive examination, examination of weapons and traces and circumstances of their usage, fingerprinting, trace behind tracks of shoes, vehicles and portrait examinations.