Identification as a means of detecting counterfeiting of sausages

Currently, the key issues in domestic economy are issues of competitiveness and quality of goods produced in Ukraine. Ukrainian market of meat products conquers consumers with a wide assortment but one should not rejoice at sucha rich list of names. Many enterprises focused on the production of meat products use technical requirements as regulatory documentation. Technical requirements make it possible to significantly reduce the quality of manufactured goods and prevent healthy competition. Food products manufactured according to technical requirements have a reduced cost that is beneficial to many enterprises in Ukraine. Responsibility for the quality of finished product lies not on manufacturer but with the buyers and forensic merchandising experts themselves. Topic relevance is due to the need to inform consumers about quality and consumer properties of cooked sausages of various manufacturers sold in the retail chain. Therefore, planning as a function of assortment management for the merchant is to determine the way of future actions, content and sequence of steps leading to the intended goal. Assortment planning methods should allow evaluating the product in three areas: profitability, competitiveness, compliance with quality and safety requirements. Theoretical research basis were research papers in the field of merchandising, in particular: I. I. Shtyk, L. V. Peshuk and N. V. Budnik, who patented the histological method for studying multicomponent meat systems. Investigating the Ukrainian market of cooked sausages, the methods of commodity assessment of the safety, quality of meat products and their identification were applied. Article Purpose is to investigate methods for identifying the quality of sausages to identify counterfeit products, analyze the procedure for conducting merchandising assessment.

Topical aspects of round table holding at the current stage of forensic science institutions development

In modern international conditions, cooperation with representatives of other countries is becoming an objective need for pre-trial investigation bodies and forensic science institutions. And it requires not only the improvement of current forms and methods of negotiations but also the search for new forms of cooperation between countries based on mutual interests. The Article purpose is to identify problem areas in holding scientific events in round table format as a means of finding solutions to detected issues in the field of forensic science at the regional and international levels. Recommendations for enhancing efficiency in round tables holding have been developed. While research, the main issues leading to unsuccessful organization of round tables as a result of inconsistencies, lack of interactivity, insufficient argumentation framework, uncontrolled polyphonic discussion, inability to justify and develop their point of view have been considered. Referring to the analysis of held round tables, a number of recommendations have been created and several methods have been developed for successful holding in the form of project with a clear division of preparation stages and allocation of specific tasks at each stage. Validity of obtained results and conclusions is ensured thanks to general scientific and special research methods, being means for research, in particular for observation and formal logic (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, analogy, abstraction); the systemic and structural method was used to define peculiarities in holding of business meetings. Implementation of these recommendations into forensic expert practice while business meetings will contribute to search for rational ways of problems solution, exchange of experience at the regional and international levels with forensic experts from leading countries of the world.

Topical issues of handwriting analysis of signatures performed with a significant gap in time

At the present stage, the objects of forensic handwriting analysis are signatures performed with a significant gap in time. In this case, such objects are both signatures in studied documents, made at different intervals and studied signatures performed in relation to the comparative material with a time gap. Establishing stability of signature signs depending on performing time is possible taking into account characteristic signs of the stages of the signature handwriting formation. Since the factors causing changes in signatures are a lengthy process of forming the signature skill and the amount of signature practice (that is how often a person has to sign). While research on signatures that are at the formation stage, different signs, established together with significant coinciding signs canindicate a further improvement of movements. In personsof middle age (30-60 years old) who have a formed signature handwriting, significant changes do not occur over time until they stop practicing writing. While research on elderly people signatures along with the established coinciding signs, differing ones appear: signs of ataxia, decreased coordination of movements, low coherence of written signs, etc. These signs indicate degradation of movements due to physiological changes in the body in old age and a decrease in writing practice including practice of performing signature. Considering the above, research on signatures performed with a significant time gap is a rather complicated process that often causes difficulties when forensic expert evaluates revealed signs. Within the framework of this research paper, the authors focused on some topical issues existing in modern forensic expert practice of handwriting analyses of signatures performed with a significant time gap. The state of development of modern practical handwriting studies requires improvement of methodological approaches to this type of research. Currently, forensic experts are conducting R&D on the topic: “Improving research methods of signatures performed with a significant gap in time” which relevance is due to the need to improve forensic expert algorithm while handwriting research on signatures performed with a significant gap in time, as well as requirements of modern scientific standards.

Quality consideration of building and renovation works while forensic structural inspections to determine the volume and cost of construction

Currently, forensic methods and regulations in the field of construction do not explain how quality of work affects the procedure of forensic examinations and research related to determining the work scope. While carrying out building and renovation services, it is possible to control provided construction and renovation services, establish their physical volume and quality. While research, forensic expert can identify violations of building codes, as well as determine the cost of refurbishment or elimination of defects made providing services. The scoop of performed works is determined by geometric parameters of construction elements, established during field surveys using design and as-built documentation. While carrying out field surveys, it is necessary (along with the determination of service scope) to pay attention to the compliance of the work performed with the requirements of building codes. The article outlines problematic issues and provides a list of basic indicators determining the scoop and quality of the construction works carried out, indicated in the reporting documentation drawn up by contractors based on results of activities in the field of construction. Actual issue arising in the establishment of the scoop and cost of construction work is considered that quality does not meet the requirements of regulatory documents in the field of construction. It is explained how the quality of the work performed affects the results of research related to the determination of the actually completed volumes of repair, building and renovation and construction work.

Increasing reliability of forensic analysis while research on destroyed relief marking with magneto-optical devices

While research on destroyed relief marking of metal objects using the magneto-optical method, visualization of (invisible) fields of internal stress in the VIN plate area is performed and then a forensic analysis of obtained instrumental data is carried out (indirect organoleptic observation of the visualization results); thus, forensic analysis reliability of results directly depends on sensitivity of instruments and informativeness of instrumental data. The main quantitative characteristic in this case is probability of correct signal recognition (contours of marking signs) against the background of noise (structural noise of investigated surface and the noise of the visualization method itself) determined by the signal-to-noise ratio. This article presents results of a comparative experimental assessment of signal-to-noise ratio and probability of correct signal recognition while restoringthe destroyed relief markings for two complexes of magneto-optical imaging – models of 2006 and 2018. This article purpose is a quantitative and qualitative comparative assessment of results of visualization of internal stresses in areas of completely removed relief marking of metal objects. The results of successful practical research obtained by forensic experts from different countries make it possible to assess effectiveness and prospects of using the magneto-optical imaging method. In a new modification of the magneto-optical complex: signal level is 4.35 dB higher (contrast of reconstructed marking signs); 2.71 dB lower noise level (surface relief/texture and magnetic copying noise);• probability of correct character recognition is P> 0.995 (increased by 14.9%). Technical improvements in implementation of magneto-optical visualization method made it possible to expand the range of materials for research objects(magnetic and electrically conductive materials were investigated). The high efficiency of method for restoring marking is illustrated by results of forensic examinations for materials with a low level of residual stresses (aluminum alloy, low-carbon steel) which chemical etching method did not give results for. The use of new modification allows examining the rust layer, up to cases of corrosion to the entire depth of marks. Considering non-destructive nature of magneto-optical researches, possibility of their repeated repetition without losing object properties, this method (in accordance with the order of application of types of studies) deserves more attention for application.

Theoretical and methodological foundations of forensic economics

In modern conditions, the need to increase efficiency of forensic expert activity in economic field depends on development of theoretical and methodological base of forensic economics, interpretation of this economic and legal category in legislative field and determination of the system-forming factor of totality of forensic examinations. While systematizing scientific content, the main key issues related to theoretical development foundations of this type of forensic science are considered. The key informative informational blocks of forensic economics are highlighted: the first block is procedural nature of forensic examination assignment and conducting; second block is the use of specific expertise in the field of economics; third block is the topic of forensic economic examination; fourth block is the purpose of the results of economic research. An attempt has been made to improve interpretation of forensic economics as an economic andlegal category, as well as to substantiate its classification on the basis of dividing social production into material and non-material fields that are studied by the corresponding economic sciences. Thanks to the use of dialectical method, it is substantiated that solution to this methodological issue lies in the field of material production. Consideration of the relations between the economy and other fields of social activity demonstrated that economy is primary that allowed, as a result of the division of social production into the field of material production (material goods and material services; object of economic relations has a materialized form) and intangible production (intangible goods and intangible services; object economic relations has a non-material form) to determine the system-forming factor of various types of forensic economic examinations.

Forensic comparative analysis of soils by the method of sporo-pollen analysis using projection to latent structures discriminant analysis

Extensive use of sporo-pollen analysis is largely conditioned by such specific features of pollen and spores as their very-large-scale production in plants, the ability to preserve in soils, presence of characteristic morphological features enabling to distinguish and identify individual taxa, etc. In Belarus, the method of sporo-pollen analysis has also been implemented while forensic soil examination: it is increasingly applied to solve identification tasks in comparative analysis to establish the belonging of soil layers on physical evidence to the searched area. Its main advantage is that it is a multicomponent analysis allowing to evaluate both the composition of palynoflora and the percentage of several dozen components of sporo-pollen spectra contained in soil samples. Therefore, to determine the belonging of soil layers on physical evidence to the searched area, most informative are data obtained while sporo-pollen analysis, helping forensic experts on the basis of a specific taxonomic composition of pollen and spores and percentage of spectra components to draw the most valid conclusions. Detection of pollen and spores in studied samples in a quantity sufficient for comparative analysis enables to statistically process data of samples microscopic examination. Statistical processing of results is one of the characteristic features of sporo-pollen analysis as a method that distinguishes it from other methods implemented in multidisciplinary forensic examination of soil.

Features of intellectual property analysis in Ukraine and abroad

Issues on the implementation of intellectual property analysis in Ukraine, as well as a forensic expert participation in court hearing abroad were considered. Intellectual property objects belong to a variety of types of art, science, technology and crafts, effective consideration of cases related to protection of intellectual property rights, for a complete and comprehensive study of the subject of examination and providing an expert's concusion becomes possible only in case of attracting specialists, who have special knowledge in a particular field. The article purpose is to define features of intellectual property analysis in Ukraine and formal requirements for a forensic expert in Ukraine and foreign states. One of the priority directions of state policy is the protection of intellectual property rights, as the development of this area stimulates innovation in all fields by increasing the country's economy to a new level, and providing it a rightful place at the international level. Also, an increase of scientific potential not only promotes Ukraine's modernization in various fields of science and technology but also increases its defense capability and national security. Today there is a negative state of compliance with the legislation regulating intellectual property issues, the number of violations of relevant rights is increasing. The reason for such a state is the imperfection of the mechanism of legal protection and protection of intellectual property rights in the field of scientific activity, failure to resolve the issue regarding legal protection of scientific advances, etc. In January 2020, the European Commission made a publication of a report on protection and ensuring intellectual property rights in third countries, according to which (despite all preventive measures) our country was already on the list of countries, where there are serious systematic problems in the field of defense and protection of intellectual rights, causing significant damage to the economic interests of the EU. Forensic science plays a priority role in introducing advanced achievements of science and technology and promotes the reliability of the proof system in the case. In some cases, the appointment and conduct of a forensic examination are not only necessary but also the only possible means of establishing the truth and solving a litigation.

Problematic issues on the evaluation of domestic animals during forensic commodity expertises

The article purpose is to address problematic issues during forensic com-modity expertises on the evaluation of pets, in particular, to determine the material damage caused to an animal owner, in case of animal abuse and injuries, mutilation or death of an animal. The animal in this case is the object of civil relations. Carrying out forensic commodity expertises on evaluation of pets, in particular, to determine the material damage caused to an animal owner in case of animal abuse, requires an individual approach in each case, taking into account individual characteristics and obtaining complete initial data to identify objects of study.

Forensic support of the activities of forensic science institutions and pre-trial investigation and inquiry bodies in counteraction to crime

Pressing issues of forensic support of activities of pre-trial investigation and inquiry bodies in countering criminal offenses are outlined. The concept and essence of crime counteraction are considered. The article analyzes the national criminal procedural legislation, departmental regulatory legal framework and their amendments concerning the direction under study, genesis of scientific findings on theoretical and applied issues of forensic support of the activities of pre-trial investigation and inquiry bodies in this direction, as well as the genesis of the concept and essence of forensic science as a science. The modern state of the development of forensic science, current high-priority issues and feasibility of changing the scientific paradigm of forensic science as well as the use of innovations are studied; ways for their improvement are proposed. Theoretical and applied problematic issues of criminalistics are subject to thorough study and resolution. Fundamental changes are required both in criminalistics in general and in particular in its individual areas. The current legislation, law enforcement agencies, forensic science institutions, prosecutors’ bodies and judicial bodies, as well as law enforcement, in which modern advances in science and technology (in particular, computer and telecommunication technologies) are being implemented should be reformed. The article highlights such problematic issues as the improvement of the forensic characteristics of cer-tain types of crimes, forensic techniques combining forensic techniques and tac-tics. The issue of further implementation in law enforcement and forensic expert activities of promising molecular genetic examinations for pre-trial investigation bodies, including the method of DNA analysis is outlined separately and fully. Relying on the results of research, specific author proposals and recommenda-tions are provided on the studied area of activity in general and in individual directions.