Regarding the investigation of damage to objects of cultural heritage in the conditions of war

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of the problem of investigation of crimes related to cultural values, which is carried out during the war. In the context of military conflict, cultural property is at risk of theft, destruction, trade and illegal transportation. Since these values are an integral part of national heritage and world culture, their protection and restoration are extremely important tasks. The main investigations of crimes related to the sphere of cultural values are considered, such as the formation of a team of specialists, the collection of necessary information, cooperation with international organizations and law enforcement agencies, the conduct of investigations and the collection of necessary information regarding this process. Adherence to the necessary algorithm of actions when working with evidence allows establishing the circumstances contributing to the commission of the crime, including the place, time, method and objects. It helps to understand the full picture of what happened and build a sequence of events. Evidence may point to individuals who may be connected to a cultural property crime. These may include fingerprints, video recordings, witness statements, etc., in particular, lead to identification. Collecting evidence allows you to confirm or deny the guilt of suspects. These may include physical evidence, electronic records, expert reports, etc. that provide an objective basis for deciding whether a person is guilty.
 Attention is drawn to the need for international cooperation for effective identification, investigation, return and restoration of cultural values.The importance of preserving cultural heritage as an element of national and world identity and a positive influence on social development is emphasized. The need to adopt effective legislative measures, create international cooperation mechanisms and raise public awareness of the problem of crimes against cultural values is emphasized.
 In order to eliminate this problem, it is necessary to develop clear recommendations that take into account the peculiarities of the investigation of crimes against cultural values during the war and identify directions for further research in this area. The results of this work can be used to improve the protection of cultural property and bring perpetrators to justice, ensuring the preservation of humanity’s inalienable heritage.