The Effectiveness of Using the Tactic-Psychological Aspects of Criminalistic Tactics in the Work of Investigation Authorities' Employees

Abstract

The authors analyze the use of the psychological aspects of criminalistic tactics in the work of law enforcement employees. The authors identify the causes of their low effectiveness: the insufficient knowledge of investigation authorities’ employees, a psychological attitude and professional deformation. Insufficient knowledge about the use of tactic-psychological aspects of criminalistic tactics is, in its turn, caused by a number of factors. Primarily, they are professional qualities of investigators and detectives: gaps in primary training, lack of enthusiasm for professional development, mental stereotypes. An important factor is the lack of time to study extra material on criminalistics. Some factors are connected with the theory of criminalistics itself. They include the difficulty of searching for recommendations in publications, the generalized character of such recommendations and the difficulty of understanding them. Psychological attitude predetermines both the success and the low effectiveness of using the tactic-psychological techniques during some investigative actions. Negative psychological attitudes that hinder the effective use of psychological aspects in the work of the investigation bodies’ employees include: orientation on prosecution, orientation on the formal character of work, orientation on the non-achievement of the desired result. Their essence is described and the specific characteristics of their negative impact are analyzed. The negative impact that the orientation on prosecution has on the use of the psychological aspects of the investigation bodies’ employees is manifested through the initial confidence of the investigator or detective that the prosecuted person is guilty which, in its turn, makes the objective investigation of the circumstances of the case unnecessary. Orientation on the formal character of work and orientation on the non-achievement of the desired result destroy the tactic-psychological potential of the investigative actions. Professional deformation intensifies negative orientations, establishes a model of rough communication with other people, normalizes unethical and even illegal actions of an investigator or a detective. The analysis of these causes makes it possible to overcome their negative impact on the work of investigators and detectives by developing revised and specified criminalistic recommendations.