Forensic expert criminologist. Forensic scientists. Operational-search activity of the internal affairs bodies

Forensic science is a legal science that studies the characteristics and mechanism of committing a crime in order to disclose it. The profession of a forensic scientist is certainly quite difficult and stressful, but at the same time exciting and interesting.

Historical reference

The first criminologists who investigate the mechanism of preparing and committing crimes appeared in the 19th century. At the same time, practical manuals on forensic science were published, in which advice and methods of disclosing a criminal act were described. But only in the 1920s of the Soviet period the data of this science began to be systematized. After the Great Patriotic War, criminology as a separate discipline began to be taught in law schools and academies of internal affairs.

Work specifics

Until a forensic expert arrives at the scene, police officers, including the investigator, have no right to touch or move anything. The expert visits the site, takes photographs and records, collects and examines material evidence, and also inspects the body of the victim or deceased for damage. Evidence includes various traces and objects, such as traces of blood, shoes, fingerprints, objects left at the scene of the incident and traces from them, instruments of a criminal act.

After a preliminary analysis, all work on the study of evidence is carried out in a special laboratory. The expert is also responsible for documenting and describing the results of the research carried out. Only after the thorough work of the forensic expert does the investigator reproduce the general picture of the committed criminal act. It happens that a forensic expert travels to the scene dozens of times a day.

Areas of work

1. Graphology is the science of studying handwriting. An expert can determine the state of a person (nervous, alcoholic intoxication) by handwriting or even signature.
2. Trasology - the study of traces that reflect the mechanism of the crime. These can be prints, burglary marks, car wheels.
3. Ballistics - checking and analyzing the firearms that committed the crime. The expert can determine the type of weapon, under what conditions and at what distance they fired from it.
4. Phonoscopy - the study of sound trails. A specialist can determine the belonging of a voice on an audio or video recording to a specific person.
5. Authorship expertise is the study of a text in order to establish information about the identity of the author and the conditions for creating a document.
6. Examination of explosives. An expert can establish the fact and circumstances of the explosion and its consequences.
7. Examination of explosive devices. The main task of a specialist is the detection, fixation and removal of objects related to the explosion.
8. Fingerprinting is a method of identifying a person using fingerprints. If the perpetrator has previously been involved, a forensic expert can easily identify his identity.
9. DNA research. With the help of DNA, you can determine the identity of a person.

Knowledge, abilities and skills

First of all, a forensic expert must know the theory of forensic science, master its techniques and technologies, such as fingerprinting and graphology. In the second place, the specialist must be able to conduct various examinations, master the technologies of the origin of things from the scene of the incident, and know the rules for collecting material evidence.

Personal features

A forensic expert must have many of the qualities required in his job:

• stress resistance and possession of iron nerves,
• perseverance, patience, methodicalness,
• attentiveness, accuracy and meticulousness.
• mobility, ability to work in a team, responsibility,
• curiosity, erudition.
• logical thinking, analytical skills.
• readiness to acquire new knowledge, skills, abilities,
• long-term and operative memory, a tendency to analyze, the ability to concentrate.
• the ability to master technical means.
• Confidence in your strength.

Studies

Quite a lot of higher educational institutions offer training in the specialties "Jurisprudence" and "Forensic examination". Applicants are usually interested in the question, what subjects need to be taken for admission? We will answer you: most often these are exams in the Russian language, social studies, history and physical culture. But each university has its own requirements, so it is advisable to check with the university or institute where you plan to enter which disciplines you need to take. In order to obtain the right to independently conduct any examination, you must have a diploma of specialized higher education, as well as regularly undergo relevant practice and take tests.

Where to get

If you are just starting your career in the field of forensic science, then, most likely, you will go to law enforcement agencies, structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or to centers of expertise. Forensic experts are often required at the Russian Federal Forensic Center of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. Experienced specialists have an excellent opportunity to get a job in a private laboratory.

Profession prospects

If you decide to become a criminologist, then, of course, you are interested in salary and prospects for possible development. At the very beginning of a career, a specialist can start working as an assistant forensic expert or laboratory assistant. After gaining experience, he has several roads: firstly, it is a narrow specialization in forensics, for example, a digital forensic scientist, and, secondly, it is work in a private organization or a law enforcement system. In the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there are benefits and bonuses for employees, but, nevertheless, in private offices the salary level is much higher.

In state organizations, the salary ranges from 20,000 to 45,000 rubles and depends on the length of service and experience of the specialist. In private offices, the salary of forensic specialists depends on the profit of the organization, income starts from 65,000 rubles and above. In addition to the prospects for career growth and an increase in the level of remuneration, a specialist has the opportunity to gain new knowledge and improve his qualifications. When changing specialization or even in the whole profession, for example, when moving to the position of an investigator, the experience of a criminalist will always come in handy. The value of social protection should also be understood. The length of service affects not only the officer's shoulder straps, but also the size of the pension. Agree, there is a big difference in receiving 10,000 or 60,000 rubles.

Conclusion

Since you have chosen such a profession as a forensic expert, be prepared for the fact that your working days will never be boring. After all, the work of a forensic scientist is multifaceted, difficult and insanely interesting. When operatives are unable to apprehend a criminal in hot pursuit, a forensic scientist appears on the scene. He can make a description of the mechanism of the crime committed, the specifics of its preparation and much more necessary for the investigation and capture of the attacker. In the law enforcement system, forensic specialists with extensive experience are highly valued, which is reflected in their salary level.

Criminal elements do not sleep, they constantly do their dirty deeds. And someone has to go on their trail! Especially for this, the profession of "criminologist" was created. A description of this complex case, as well as information about what a person who has decided to fight crime has to study, can be found in this article.

Let's say a word about the name

A forensic expert is a specialist who collects and examines evidence at a crime scene. The name comes from a combination of two Latin words that mean "experienced" and "criminal". The knowledge that the science of forensic science collects is important. She explores the patterns, as well as the features of the execution and the mechanism of committing a crime. In addition, the authors study the occurrence of offenses and ways of hiding their tracks by the participants. Tools for collecting, researching and analyzing evidence are also being developed and used.

The specifics of the profession

It is also important that the criminologist and the investigator travel to the place where the crime was committed. He takes part in the examination and removal of evidence, which are: traces of blood, shoes, gloves, fingerprints, objects (which can be important and also studies the injuries that are on the body of the victim or the deceased. But still most of the work is carried out in a specially created for this laboratory, because only a preliminary analysis can be done at the scene.

Professional differences

Specialists can be of a universal focus (which is rather ineffective), and can also be engaged in certain areas. The most popular are:

Ballistic;

Fingerprint;

Phonoscopic;

Examination of explosives;

Documents;

Examination of explosive devices.

They are carried out in order to recreate the picture of the crime and identify the offender, his victim and identify the weapon of the crime. As an example, let's take a look at the trasological examination. This is the name of the study of any traces that remained at the scene of the crime. As such, threads from clothes, prints of shoes, vehicle tires, teeth with a bite, or a crime instrument can act. The traces of burglary and the features of the mechanism of trace formation are also analyzed. Using special techniques, the forensic trasologist is looking for special characteristics that will make it possible to judge the object that left them. The originality of the strike is studied, with what object it was done, and much more. It should be noted that forensics is constantly evolving. It is complemented by new methods and technologies that help in solving crimes. Thus, experts note that DNA research is considered one of the most advanced, thanks to which a person's identity can be established by organic traces.

About training

We already have an idea of ​​what the profession of "criminologist" is. It is not taught directly. First, you need to learn to be a lawyer, and then you can already get the status of a forensic expert. As you can see, the choice is wide. After all, there are a lot of law faculties in our country. True, it is possible to study in the specialty "forensic examination" only in special universities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, which issue a diploma for it. What is the educational process? Professionals say that about 2/3 of it is practice. Shooting and hand-to-hand training is also carried out. Well, of course, various types of forensic examinations are being studied, as well as the features of their application. After the training is completed, the graduates are sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and given a job in their specialty. If you are interested in the profession of "criminologist", then be careful: many universities graduate professionals who are engaged. Therefore, upon admission, it will be very useful to know the qualifications you will receive. For example, if a forensic expert graduated from the Moscow State Law Academy, the profession of this person can only be economic or speech.

Where can you work with such an education?

It is clear that the possibilities are not limited to the Ministry of Internal Affairs alone, although state law enforcement agencies and centers of expertise are the most likely place of work. In addition to them, there is an opportunity to work in private forensic laboratories. Depending on the training, it is possible to find employment in the security service of a private company; they may need specialists to search for evidence confirming violations. In this case, a forensic expert, whose profession is "sharpened" for the detection of traces of unauthorized stay or economic abuse, is more in demand, a specialist in the field of ballistic research.

Also, many criminologists note that a number of requirements are put forward for a person in terms of the presence of certain personal qualities. So, curiosity, erudition, confidence, rationality, methodology and high intelligence are only welcome. It is also imperative to have a good memory, have a penchant for analysis and have the ability to concentrate on the object under study for a long time. With such requests, it would be nice to receive high wages. Is this so in practice?

Salary

Are you wondering how much the profession of "forensic scientist" brings? The salary for her throughout the Russian Federation ranges from 25 to 40 thousand rubles. Agree, very solid! True, one should not forget what qualities a person should have in order to do this kind of work.

Conclusion

Forensic experts are an important link in the law enforcement system, especially in cases where the attacker could not be detained in hot pursuit. They can describe the mechanism of the crime, the peculiarities of its preparation, psychological portraits of the participants and much more, which will help in solving the case. At the same time, the employees of this service are valuable specialists, which can be seen from the level of their salaries - this should also not be overlooked.

The profession of a criminologist, like any other specialty, has its own nuances, both positive and negative. But overall, it is very interesting and exciting. Therefore, young people who see their calling in her are unlikely to ever regret their choice.

The constantly growing crime rate has led to the emergence of a new direction of science - forensics, which allows you to collect, investigate and evaluate evidence of a committed crime. Accordingly, along with her, the profession of a criminal expert (criminalist) appeared.

Since the inevitability of punishment must be based on an impeccable evidence base, a great responsibility is imposed on criminal experts. Without them, not a single investigation begins, and until the arrival of the criminalist at the scene, no one has the right to move or touch anything at the scene of the crime.

Of course, this profession, like any other specialty, has its own nuances, both positive and negative. But overall, it is very interesting and exciting. Therefore, young people who see their calling in her are unlikely to ever regret their choice.

Who is a forensic scientist?

A specialist who collects and examines evidence at the crime scene, which, during the investigation of a crime, helps to identify the perpetrators, and during the trial, to prove the guilt of the accused.

The name of the profession combines two Latin words - expertus (experienced) and criminalis (related to a crime). Despite the fact that people were able to determine the cause of death by studying the bodies of the deceased and analyzing the available traces even in ancient times, the profession of "criminologist" appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. At this time, the first specialists and various methods / technologies appear to facilitate the disclosure of crimes. The systematization of knowledge in this area of ​​knowledge falls on the beginning of the 20th century. And after the 45s, forensic science was introduced into the curriculum of law faculties as a separate science.

Today forensic scientists play an important role in the work law enforcement... Their responsibilities include:

• inspection of the crime scene;
• photography;
• identification, numbering and seizure of evidence;
• drawing up a protocol;
• provision of preliminary opinion;
• laboratory research and reporting.

A forensic scientist is a multifaceted profession. Today there are more than 20 narrow directions. Among them, key positions are occupied by:

• Trassologists studying all kinds of footprints at the crime scene(characteristic burglary marks, shoe prints, tire treads, teeth bite, etc.)
• Ballistae are weapons experts. These people determine: the distance and conditions under which the shot was fired; the type of weapon used; industrial or handicraft making.
• Graphologists who study the peculiarities of handwriting. Using special methods, they can determine the time of writing the document, the state of a person during this period, his posture, the presence of injuries, psychological influence, etc.
• Fingerprinting professionals. This research method is aimed at identifying the criminal using a unique fingerprint.
• Criminal experts conducting phonoscopy, study speech and sound data and can easily determine the belonging of the voice on the recording to a specific person.

The development of science and technology determines the emergence of new research methods used in forensic science. In recent years, DNA analysis has become widespread, with the help of which an individual can be identified by biological traces.

What personal qualities should a criminologist have?

A candidate for the position of a forensic expert, in addition to the knowledge gained in the training process, must have a set of certain personal qualities, without which he cannot achieve success in the profession, and sometimes harm himself and others.

It is very important for qualified experts:

• a responsibility,
• observation,
• attention to details.

These qualities are fundamental, since in their work forensic experts should notice even the smallest details left at the crime scene, pay attention to elements invisible to an inexperienced eye, relying also on developed intuition, study the evidence and remember that the outcome of the case depends on the reliability of the information collected.

Mental health and stress resistance are integral parts of the profession. Off-site work is often accompanied by scary scenes of crime, and forensic specialists need to be mentally prepared for this.

A simple diploma of higher education is not enough for career advancement, therefore experts must constantly improve their knowledge and skills, and such qualities as erudition and striving for self-development.

Among other significant personal qualities inherent in forensic specialist, allocate:

• good memory;
• analytic skills;
• accuracy;
• developed logic;
• sequencing;
• patience and perseverance;
• physical health.

The advantages of being a forensic scientist

The advantages of working as a criminologist, first of all, include a high demand for specialists. Professionals in their field are in great demand in law enforcement agencies, private laboratories and detective agencies. Usually, graduates of educational institutions do not have to engage in a long job search, since they are given a referral to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs where they gain experience and develop their skills. Over the years, a forensic scientist becomes an expert in a certain field and can move to work in a commercial structure, thereby providing himself with a higher income.

Although the level of salaries for novice experts is poor, every employee of government agencies receives good benefits and social protection. The increase in the salary of a criminalist depends on his rank and qualifications. The average monthly income of specialists ranges from 45-60 thousand rubles, but for top-level experts it rises by 30-50%. When working in managerial positions, you can count on a salary of 70-100 thousand rubles, and when employed in private forensic laboratories the monthly salary sometimes reaches 150 thousand.

Disadvantages of the profession of criminologist

The most serious disadvantage of the profession is the psychological pressure and danger that lies in wait for forensic scientists during the investigation. Often, criminal elements try to bribe experts to substitute evidence in their favor. When they fail, the criminals turn to threats that often concern not only the forensic experts themselves, but also their family members.

In addition, at the crime scene, specialists are faced with various, often shocking pictures that have a negative impact on the emotional state of a specialist. Often, the activity of a criminalist is accompanied by unpleasant odors, which not everyone can withstand.

The disadvantages of the profession also include irregular working hours and difficult working conditions. To conduct business "hot on the trail", it is impossible to postpone research evidence until a more convenient time. Therefore, criminologists often go to the scene of a crime both late at night and at dawn, and in severe frosts, and in an exhausting heat, and in a heavy downpour, and in a severe blizzard.

Where can you get the profession of a criminologist?

The profession of a criminalist requires serious training, in particular knowledge of criminal law, various methods of examination, psychology and other related fields.

Forensic science is a legal discipline that studies the characteristics and mechanisms of committing criminal acts. Forensic scientist history of the profession: a job full of difficulties and great tension. However, despite all this, the profession of a criminologist is rightfully one of the very interesting professions. The term "forensic science" appeared in scientific circulation at the end of the 19th century, which was caused by a sharp increase in the level of crime and caused great concern in society.

Although the emergence of the profession of a criminologist is attributed to the early 19th century, examples of crime investigations by means of this science have been observed since antiquity. Hippocrates wrote about the methods of determining which of the wounds led to death. When Caesar was killed, his body was examined by doctors, who revealed that one of 23 wounds caused him to death. Back in the distant XIII century, within the walls of the University of Bologna, the specialty "forensic medicine" appeared. Within Russia, forensic science was subject to systematization only in the first decades of the last century. The universities of our country began to train specialists in the specialty of a criminalist, important for any state, only after the end of the Great Patriotic War.

Who is a forensic scientist? Until the forensic expert arrives at the crime scene, the investigation team is not allowed to touch or move anything. When the forensic scientist arrives, he takes pictures of everything he sees fit and draws up an examination report. Forensic experts also examine a person who has been injured or killed as a result of a crime. The expert collects a complex of evidence, which includes specific traces and / or objects. After completing the preliminary examination, the forensic scientist examines the collected evidence in the laboratory, documenting the results of the research.

Only after a scrupulous study, the expert together with the investigator compose a picture of the crime. The profession of a forensic scientist involves going to the crime scene up to several times during the day.

The main tasks of an expert capable of detecting criminals using scientific research methods are:

- drawing up a clear "picture" of the crime committed;

- detection of traces left by the criminal;

- study of the found evidence;

- providing investigators with a reasoned expert opinion;

- active participation of an expert in the investigation of all the circumstances of the case.

A forensic expert must have a number of specific skills:

- know the theory and practice of forensic examination, be able to apply them in their practice;

- to master the nuances of crime investigation;

- be able to use various methods and means in their work;

- know the rules for the use of funds for various examinations and much more.

We also offer you to familiarize yourself with the professions of anesthesiologist, midwife and anthropologist.

Forensic science is a profession that includes work in more than twenty important areas. The main of these areas:

- graphology. A specialist can determine the emotional state of people by examining their handwriting or just one signature;

- traceology. The study of traces that help to reveal the secret of the mechanism of committing a crime is being carried out (traces of burglaries, wheel prints, and so on);

- ballistics. The expert works with one or another firearm, determining its type and the circumstances of the shots fired from it;

- fingerprinting. These experts are only able to identify any person by their fingerprints;

- phonoscopy. This specialist is able to draw up a portrait of a suspect in a crime, based only on his voice and characteristic features of speech.

There are few "pluses" and "minuses" in the profession of a criminalist. The "pluses" include:

Average salary of a forensic scientist, many bonuses, both socially and financially, characteristic of law enforcement officers;

- having extensive professional experience and knowledge, a forensic scientist can further work in certain private detective or security organizations or organizations.

The "disadvantages" of the profession of a criminalist include:

- the possibility of psychological pressure exerted on specialists by criminals;

- in some cases, experts can see very terrible pictures at crime scenes. To endure such a spectacle for people with a weak nervous system is sometimes simply impossible;

- sometimes forensic scientists have to work with cadaveric DNA, inhaling an extremely unpleasant odor.

To connect life with the forensic profession, to achieve certain success in the chosen field, you must have a set of personality traits that are important for this:

- great perseverance, patience and consistency in actions are required;

- you need to have healthy nerves and be stress-resistant in any situations;

- always painstakingly and very accurately carry out research work;

- teamwork skills and high mobility are required;

- the ability to think logically, concentrate and analyze is required;

- it is necessary to own all kinds of technical means used by criminologists in their work.

In general, the requirements for this profession are quite large. Forensic specialists are constantly learning something new, acquire certain new skills and abilities. A forensic expert must be completely confident in his actions, not be prone to all kinds of temptations. There are isolated cases when criminologists left their jobs in law enforcement agencies, going over to the "dark" side, where criminals paid them a lot of money. In the recent past, it was usually never possible to call criminologists to account in the near future, since they knew all the nuances of investigative measures and acted extremely carefully.

Some people ask the question: to become a forensic expert, what kind of education is required for this? This profession requires profound knowledge of criminal law, psychology, expertise and other areas. Only a person with a special higher education can work as a forensic scientist. It is necessary to choose only a legal profile for training, and the direction of training is a criminal case. The availability of a practical base in an educational institution is of great importance. The curriculum for the preparation of future criminologists must necessarily include conducting analyzes, all kinds of research, experiments related to the field of forensic science.

You can learn more about the profession in the video:

An expert of the forensic department of the EKTs UMVD of Russia in the Amur Region, Police Lieutenant Yulia Plaksina, spoke about the specifics of her work.

About the profession

- A forensic expert is ...

This is a rather difficult but very interesting profession. In general, I believe that if you choose the profession of a forensic expert, you should know a lot and be able to and constantly improve your skills and abilities. There is a saying: "An expert is a person who does not think, he knows!" - that's exactly what you can say about the criminalist.

- Is this profession relevant in the modern world?

There are many fraudulent crimes being committed now. Anyone can be deceived, be it rich or poor. They forge documents, issue false loans, etc. The victims apply to the investigative bodies or the bodies of inquiry, where an examination is appointed, which we are conducting. Of course, our profession is necessary, we help the investigation.

Where to go to study

- Where did you get your education?

I have two degrees: secondary legal and higher professional. I received my specialty “forensic expert” at the Saratov Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. I purposefully entered there. Before starting my studies, they signed a contract with me, according to which, after graduating from the institute, I will have to work for 5 years in the department that sent me. I am currently working in this unit.

- Why did you choose this particular profession?

Since childhood, I have had a craving for the exact sciences, and the work of an expert is suitable specifically for people with such a mindset. I was also interested in the work of a forensic scientist, because my father works in this area. I watched his work, listened to stories about the service, and I also wanted to do this. Towards the end of the training, we began to go to the crime scene examinations as specialists, then I learned this profession from the inside.

Work days

- What is your job?

Employees of our department carry out various kinds of expertise, examine objects. Basically I am engaged in handwriting examination and technical and forensic examination of documents. We examine various documents, forms, blank requisites, banknotes. A document comes to me, and I need to determine who made the handwritten text and the signatures in it. Is the signature really executed by the person on whose behalf it appears, or by someone else for him. Or, for example, a bill, a driver's license, etc. is submitted for examination. We establish whether they were issued by a Goznak enterprise or in some other way.

I am also engaged in fingerprint examination - I work with handprints, I conduct a forensic ballistic examination - I examine handguns and ammunition for them. A rather interesting type of research is portrait examination. A photograph of a face is brought to us and we compare it with other photographs. Based on the comparison results, we need to decide: the same face is depicted in photographs or different faces.

- What difficulties do you face when carrying out an examination?

Sometimes very complex objects are submitted for handwriting research. For example, a leader sometimes allows his subordinates to sign for themselves, and then cannot prove whether this is his signature or not. It turns out that a person is already developing a skill, repeating the signs of another person's handwriting, and it is quite difficult for us to study such objects. We have to identify different or overlapping handwriting features and draw a conclusion.

Who is a forensic scientist?

Forensic experts are part of the task force and are often directly involved in the inspection of the scene. They work with traces of crime and physical evidence collected at the scene using a variety of forensic techniques. The staff of the forensic department belong to the scientific and technical divisions of the police.

reference

Forensic examinations are the direction of forensic examinations. Among the main types of forensic examinations stand out: technical and forensic examination of documents, handwriting, forensic ballistic, traceological, portrait, fingerprint examination and examination of cold and throwing weapons. Some of the most demanded examinations are handwriting, forensic ballistic and technical and forensic examinations of documents.

Professional qualities of a forensic expert:

• analytic skills;

• logical thinking;

• long-term and operative memory;

• concentration of attention;

• accuracy;

• perseverance, patience;

• willingness to acquire new knowledge, skills, and abilities;

• the ability to master technical means.