Formation of stages of the mechanism of corruption crimes: obstruction of investigation

Abstract

The subject of this research is consideration of the questions of formation of the mechanism of corruption crimes and obstruction of investigation thereof. The author examines the elements of the stage-by-stage formation of corruption crimes: initial stage, main stage, and final stage (result of committing an offense).  The subject of crime is defined as a special subject with administrative or other powers in accordance with the law. The author reviews various methods of corruption crimes and the attributes of misfeasance; as well as determines the key distinguishing feature of corruption crimes – use of powers or position by an official, etc. The main conclusion consists in the statement that the problems of obstruction of investigation are common to investigation of corruption crimes, which is explained by the fact that the detection of this type of offenses ant subsequent investigation pertains to special subjects. This poses a separate, independent task of overcoming obstruction of investigation and application of different methods of overcoming. Analysis of the practice demonstrates that penal sanctions for such crimes are imposed at the lowest possible sanction of the criminal article, and in some cases –  a suspended sentence; there is evidence of not only investigative and judicial errors, but also instances of investigative and judicial arbitrariness. This results in non-application of penalties to the offender, and the worst part – prosecuting the innocent. The examined materials on corruption crimes confirm the fact of obstruction of investigation in virtually every case, which presses the need for the development of forensic doctrine on overcoming obstruction of investigation.