War Crimes: Criminal Characteristics and Psychological Features of the Implementation of Criminal Activity
Abstract
Abstract. In connection with the repulsion of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the introduction of martial law in Ukraine from February 24, 2022, the investigation of international war crimes, which according to the Criminal Code of Ukraine are qualified under Article 438 "War Crimes", has become particularly relevant. New, improved approaches to the implementation of criminal proceedings in accordance with international and European standards of law enforcement are needed. The article pays attention to the formation of a forensic characteristic of international war crimes. After all, only by knowing the crime, its components, the features of the mechanism of implementation of criminal activity, including its psychological component, can one ensure an effective investigation of the crime, punish the perpetrators, and achieve the objectives of criminal proceedings. An important component of the forensic methodology for investigating any type (subtype or group) of war crimes is the corresponding forensic characteristic. The forensic characterization of war crimes is characterized as an information model consisting of a system of signs of a certain type (group) of war crimes, which determines the algorithm of the investigator's actions to establish its elements: the subject of the offense, the circumstances and method of committing the crime, the trace picture of the event, the identity of the criminal and the identity of the victim, in order to use the data obtained in the investigation process. The considered elements of the forensic characterization in dynamics constitute the mechanism of committing a war crime, which is characterized by the psychological features of the implementation of criminal activity. It is substantiated that the isolation and construction of forensic methods of investigating individual types of war crimes is an urgent task for modern forensic scientists. In addition, it is necessary to form an appropriate comprehensive forensic methodology for investigating war crimes, a component of which is a holistic forensic characterization, which will be based on the provisions of international and national law, will take into account forensically significant features, psychological features of the implementation of criminal activity, etc.
Keywords: international humanitarian law; violations of the laws and customs of war; torture; civilian population; prisoners of war; investigation; investigative (search) actions; forensic characterization; forensic investigation methodology.
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