Features of the investigation of illegal felling
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35774/app2020.03.166Keywords:
illegal logging, crime, investigation of illegal logging, investigation of crimes against the environment committed by illegal loggingAbstract
The article considers illegal logging as a crime against the environment, analyzes the views of scientists on the categories related to the investigation of this offense, substantiates the importance of proper planning of law enforcement officers for successful detection of crimes against the environment committed by air pollution and when investigating air pollution.
The author notes that the forest is extremely important as a natural resource, as well as a means of meeting human needs for wood and other forest products. In addition, this natural object is of no less value due to the impact on the climate, atmosphere, soil protection, water protection and other useful functions, as well as in health, recreation, cultural and aesthetic needs of society. However, due to declining forest areas and their degradation, soil erosion, declining biodiversity, increasing damage to wildlife habitats, degradation of watersheds, etc. are becoming more widespread, which ultimately leads to the destruction of quality of life and limited opportunities for sustainable development.
The prompt and successful detection of crimes against the environment committed through illegal logging often depends on the proper planning of law enforcement officials at the initial stage of the investigation. After all, prompt and qualified actions at this stage make it possible to establish the consequences of criminal violations and record traces of the crime. But for a full, comprehensive and objective investigation of this crime, it is necessary to establish important circumstances by conducting various investigative actions, tactical operations.
The author draws conclusions about a number of characteristic features of the investigation of illegal logging.
First, this type of criminal encroachment on the environment is characterized by a high level of latency, which necessitates the use of specific tactics and techniques for their operational investigation. Secondly, an extremely important element of the investigation of illegal logging is the conduct of appropriate forensic examination, which is the most effective means of investigating cases of crimes related to illegal logging, provided that the requirements of criminal procedure law on the appointment and conducting this investigative action. Third, the study of documents related to the relevant criminal proceedings, the study and comparison of their data allows to form a sufficient evidence base. Fourth, the tactically correct interrogation of persons involved in the relevant criminal proceedings makes it possible to determine the full range of causes and circumstances of illegal logging, its consequences, persons responsible for compliance with forest protection rules, the degree of their guilt, the ability to avert illegal felling and its consequences.
References
Skvortsova, O. V. (2007). Kryminalno-pravova kharakterystyka nezakonnoyi porubky lisu za kryminalnym zakonodavstvom Ukrayiny (na pidstavi materialiv praktyky Avtonomnoyi Respubliky Krym) [Criminal-legal characteristic of illegal felling of the forest according to the criminal legislation of Ukraine (on the basis of materials of practice of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea)]. Avtoref. dys. na zdobuttia nauk. stupenia kand. yuryd. nauk: Odesa: Odes. nats. yuryd. akad. [in Ukrainian].
Poprevych, V. M. (2014). Suchasnyy stan ta perspektyvy rozvytku kryminalno-pravovoyi okhorony lisiv Ukrayiny [The current state and prospects of criminal law protection of forests in Ukraine]. Visnyk Mariupolsʹkoho derzhavnoho universytetu . Seriya «Pravo» – Bulletin of Mariupol State University. Law series, 8, 180-185 [in Ukrainian].
Kryminalnyy kodeks Ukrayiny [Criminal Code of Ukraine]. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/main/2341-14 [in Ukrainian].
Pylypenko, O. M. (2018). Osoblyvosti orhanizatsiyi y taktyky ohlyadu mistsya podiyi pry rozsliduvanni nezakonnoyi porubky lisu [Peculiarities of the organization and tactics of site inspection during the investigation of illegal logging]. Visnyk LDUVS im. E.O. Didorenka – Bulletin of LDUVS named after E.O. Didorenko, 2 (82), 280-289 [in Ukrainian].
Pylypenko, O. M. (2016). Vykorystannya suchasnykh mozhlyvostey sudovykh ekspertyz na pochatkovomu etapi rozsliduvannya nezakonnoyi porubky lisu [Use of modern possibilities of forensic examinations at the initial stage of investigation of illegal logging]. Visnyk LDUVS im. E.O. Didorenka – Bulletin of LDUVS named after E.O. Didorenko, 4 (76), 232-241 [in Ukrainian].
Hlushchenko, S. I., & Stupak, O. M. (2011). Osoblyvosti provedennya sudovo-ekonomichnykh ekspertyz shchodo rozrakhunku rozmiru shkody, zapodiyanoyi vnaslidok nezakonnoyi vyrubky abo poshkodzhennya derev [Peculiarities of conducting forensic economic examinations to calculate the amount of damage caused by illegal felling or damage to trees]. Teoriya ta praktyka sudovoyi ekspertyzy i kryminalistyky. Sudovo-ekonomichna ekspertyza – Theory and practice of forensic science and criminology. Forensic economic examination, 11, 611-617 [in Ukrainian].
Lavryshchev, V. V. (2010). Osoblyvosti rozsliduvannya ekolohichnykh zlochyniv [Features of investigation of ecological crimes]. Aktualʹni problemy suchasnoho rozvytku mizhnarodnoho morskoho, transportnoho ta ekolohichnoho prava – Current issues of modern development of international maritime, transport and environmental law, 113-119 [in Ukrainian].
Rynkova, O. V. (2010). Neobkhidnist kompleksnoho pidkhodu do vykorystannya spetsialnykh znan ta provedennya sudovo-ekspertnykh doslidzhen pid chas rozsliduvannya ekolohichnykh zlochyniv [The need for a comprehensive approach to the use of special knowledge and forensic research in the investigation of environmental crimes]. Kryminalistychnyy visnyk – Forensic Bulletin, 2 (14), 81-87 [in Ukrainian].
Konstytutsiya Ukrayiny [Constitution of Ukraine]. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/254к/96-вр [in Ukrainian].
Kryminalnyy protsesualnyy kodeks Ukrayiny [Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine]. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4651-17#Text [in Ukrainian].