FORENSIC STUDIES OF OBJECTS OF SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL ORIGIN IN RUSSIA

The paper presents the genesis of forensic studies of objects of soil-geological origin and their current state. In the Russian Federation, these objects are investigated within the framework of judicial soil science, environmental and land management expertise. The possibilities of these types of forensic examinations to provide evidentiary information in the investigation of various categories of criminal cases are described. The types of crimes for which forensic expert studies of objects of soil and geological origin are assigned are considered. The article also attempts to analyze the problems on which forensic examinations for the study of objects of soil and geological origin, formed in the system of forensic institutions, currently cannot answer all the questions of their customers. In this regard, the authors identify new areas of forensic expertise in the field under consideration, including in the system of forensic institutions of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. Special attention is paid to the issues of conducting forensic studies of objects of soil and geological origin in non-governmental organizations by non-governmental forensic experts, including on issues related to earthworks, the condition of objects of soil and geological origin. The authors noted additional opportunities that can be obtained by subjects who feel the need to appoint forensic studies of objects of soil and geological origin in non-governmental forensic institutions.