Use of special knowledge in the investigation of crimes committed by employees of collection agencies

Abstract

The article discusses some issues of the organization of proceedings in criminal cases committed by employees of collection agencies against debtors in debt collection. The introduction of a new rule of Article 172.4 of Criminal Code of Russian Federation into the criminal law is positively assessed, which, according to the authors, will strengthen the level of protection of the rights and legitimate interests of individuals with overdue debts in the credit sphere, especially in the field of microloans. It is noted that this is a new type of crime, for the effective investigation of which law enforcement agencies are not quite ready to a certain extent due to insufficient development of practical recommendations for conducting investigative and other procedural actions. Attention is paid to such an aspect as the use of special knowledge when conducting procedural actions on this category of crimes, which is due to the specifics of their commission. The methodology of the study consists in the use of an integrated and information-analytical method of processing forensic information, forensic investigative practice, as well as an objective assessment of the recommendations available in the legal literature on the production of procedural actions with the involvement of special knowledge. Recommendations on the use of specialist assistance in the production of verbal and non-verbal procedural actions are presented. Attention is drawn to the large volume of examinations conducted in cases of this category, the choice of which is influenced by the nature of the criminal activity considered in the article. It is concluded that the specifics of the implementation of criminal activities of employees of collection agencies in the collection of overdue debts affects a significant area of public relations, the knowledge of which is often difficult or impossible without the use of special knowledge.