GENERAL THEORY OF CRIMINALISTICS: A CONCEPTUAL RE-EVALUATION IN THE CONTEXT OF WAR

Abstract

The article explores the systematic transformation and conceptual reimagining of the general theory of criminalistics under the conditions of full-scale war in Ukraine. The author emphasizes that the current stage of scientific development is marked by a profound mismatch between traditional theoretical constructs and the realities of modern warfare, which involves mass crimes, hierarchical organizational structures, and significant spatial and temporal dispersion. The research highlights that traditional peace-time criminalistics focuses on individual acts with clear boundaries, whereas war crimes require a shift toward documenting complex criminal practices and «delayed» criminalistic cognition.

A central thesis of the work is the expansion of the subject and object of criminalistics. The subject now encompasses the regularities of forming, accumulating, and preserving criminalistically significant information arrays, even those gathered outside formal criminal proceedings by civilians, NGOs, or international bodies. The object of study has become increasingly complex, integrating multi-layered data from OSINT, aerospace imagery, and 3D scanning, which necessitates new scientific approaches to ensure the integrity, reliability, and future admissibility of such evidence in both national and international courts.

Furthermore, the article analyzes the transformation of criminalistic functions. Beyond its traditional «service» role to the investigation, the science now plays an integrative and methodological role, merging knowledge from international humanitarian law, military sciences, and digital forensics to provide a conceptual framework for war-time justice. The author argues that the classical system of criminalistics — comprising general theory, technique, tactics, and methodology — must evolve into a more flexible and adaptive model.

Finally, the research outlines the prospects for criminalistics within the context of transitional justice. It suggests that the science must provide macro-level models for documenting the state aggressor's criminal policy and command chains. This conceptual evolution is presented as a strategic necessity for restoring justice, ensuring accountability for international crimes, and upholding the rule of law in the post-war period.

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