Epistemological Characteristic and Procedural Significance of Steps and Stages of Appointing and Conducting Forensic Veterinary Examination

Abstract

The Research Purpose is to single out epistemological characteristics of steps of appointing and conducting forensic veterinary examination and to reveal their procedural significance for pre-trial investigation and trial of cases concerning animals. It has been proven that these steps differ by subject, purpose, methods and include their own components: 1) preparation of materials and appointment of forensic veterinary examination (adopting a decision on forensic examination appointment; singling out forensic examination subject; defining forensic examination category according to procedural features; order of its performance, choosing time for its conduct; preparing source information; obtaining objects for subsequent research; selection of conducting subject; issuance of a procedural document on forensic examination appointment and the accused’s (suspect, defendant) familiarization with its content; determining expediency of the participants’ presence in the process while forensic examination; sending the procedural document on forensic examination appointment and research objects to the conducting subject; interaction between subjects involved in appointment and conduct of forensic examination); 2) carrying out research by a forensic expert using specific veterinary expertise; 3) research, evaluation and verification of the expert conclusion (seeking clarifications from a forensic expert or interrogating him/her in court; appointment of additional examination or re-examination (if needed); acquainting the parties with the expert conclusion). The research methodological basis is the systematic approach (general scientific and special scientific methods).