THE ESSENCE OF THE CONCEPT OF «HOT TRACES» AS A CRIMINALIST CATEGORY

Abstract

The article is devoted to defining the essence of the concept of hot traces as a forensic category. The essence of hot traces is determined on the basis of a broad understanding of a trace as a source of forensically significant information about a crime, the provisions of information theory and information processes as a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism of information trace formation, and proceeding from the following five characteristics inherent in the process of information formation: 1) reliability; 2) completeness; 3) timeliness; 4) relevance; 5) objectivity (adequacy). Hot traces are considered reliable as sources of information that have relatively statically fixed/recorded the state of the criminal event and have not been affected by external factors; the assessment of the reliability of ideal hot traces has certain specific features. Completeness is considered through the comprehensive nature of the traces identified at the initial stage of the investigation as hot traces. Timeliness and relevance have a particular specificity with regard to hot traces: such a specific feature of hot traces as the operational nature of information simultaneously encompasses both timeliness and relevance. Objectivity ensures the independence of information from the will, biases, or interests of the subject working with it. From a methodological perspective, it is considered appropriate to use the phrase within the shortest possible time when referring to the time limits of investigations conducted «hot on the trai». This approach corresponds to the concept of the «golden hour» widely applied in international police practice. «Hot traces» are understood as a special category of sources of forensically significant information about a crime that arise directly in the process of its preparation, commission, or immediately after the event, and are characterized by relative static nature, increased concentration, completeness, operational efficiency (timeliness and relevance), and cognitive value. These characteristics ensure the possibility, within the shortest possible time, to establish the mechanism of the criminal event, identify the offender, and effect their apprehension by solving a wide range of identification and diagnostic (situational) forensic tasks.