Criminalistic Means of Criminal Procedure Proof

The article is devoted to clarifying the essence, definition and classification of forensic means of criminal procedural proof. It is emphasized that one of the main tasks of procedural and forensic scientists is to provide practitioners with the appropriate tools for the most effective implementation of evidentiary activities in criminal proceedings. It was found out that in the special literature, such tools are usually called "means of proof". Narrow (restrictive) and broad approaches to the interpretation of this concept are distinguished. Supporting a broader approach, the author refers to the means of criminal procedural proof as equally important and interconnected elements: 1) tools of proof-substantiation – factual data and their sources (evidence, presumptions, prejudices, indisputable and generally known facts); 2) methods of proof – methods of collecting, researching, checking, evaluating and using evidence and methods (forms) of using presumptions, prejudices, indisputable and generally known facts. Taking into account the focus of forensic recommendations on increasing the effectiveness of evidentiary activity in criminal proceedings, the author indicates the existence of specific tools of evidentiary activity – forensic means of criminal procedural proof, which are defined as techniques, methods, ways and scientific and technical means developed or worked out by criminalistics, practically-oriented recommendations for their most effective use by authorized persons (subjects and other participants of proving) during the collection, examination and use of evidence for the purpose of establishing the presence or absence of facts and circumstances that are important for criminal proceedings and are subject to proof. Such means are divided into technical-forensic, tactical-organizational and methodical-organizational.

criminal proceedings, evidence, means of proof, forensic recommendations, collection, examination and use of evidence