CORRELATION AND STRUCTURE OF A FORENSIC TECHNIQUE AND FORENSIC SCIENCE

A historical analysis of forensic techniques and forensic science emergence as scientific branches is outlined, their interconnection, differences are considered, the subject, object and structure are clarified. It is shown that criminalistics and forensic science are both separate and kindred scientific branches that have common historical roots. The author proves that the development and gradual separation of forensic science from criminalistics did not change the scientific, methodological, didactic foundations and structure of a forensic technique as a component of criminalistics. The structure of forensic technique and forensic science is suggested. The author presents the forensic technique modern structure in the form of the following sections: physical traces of crimes: types, classification, mechanism of formation; technical and forensic means and methods: classification, functional purpose; organizational and legal foundations of forensic support of offences investigation; means and methods of searching, recording, seizing, packaging and transporting traces of offenses; means and methods of preliminary investigation of offenses’ traces; information and reference support of offenses disclosure and investigation. Forensic science is represented in two parts: “General theory of forensic examination”, which includes theoretical provisions, doctrines inherent in all forensic fields, and “Methodological fundamentals  of certain types of forensic examinations”, which are the theoretical basis of certain forensic branches and are used for the development of methods for solving typical forensic tasks. The close connection and mutual influence of two scientific branches and types of activity are noted. The connection is manifested in the unity of theoretical foundations, methodological approaches to the study of objects and, partially, in the use of technical means. The development of new forensic methods affects the advancement and improvement of technical and forensic means of collecting physical traces of a crime. On the contrary, the emergence of  new types of crime traces necessitates the creation of appropriate typical forensic research methods.