Zaverhovskiy O. Forensic characteristics of smuggling and its importance for law enforcement activities

The dissertation is devoted to the development of forensic characteristics and the formation of the foundations of a smuggling investigation. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and our own practical experience, the paper analyzes the individual elements of the forensic characteristics of smuggling (the subject of a criminal assault, methods of crime, the identity of the offender, etc.). In the course of the study, the place of smuggling among other crimes was established and it was determined that smuggling as a criminal phenomenon has become a “national trait” and now threatens not only the interests of society, but also calls into question the existence of the Ukrainian state as a whole. The pragmatic role of the forensic characteristics of this category of crimes is argued. The article analyzes the main positions that relate to the organizational aspects of the smuggling investigation. The list of typical circumstances to be proved during the investigation of smuggling is investigated, the system of standard versions and investigative situations at the initial stage of the investigation is determined.