UDK: 343.3/.7

Vladimir Al. Zhavoronkov - Candidate of Law, Associate Professor, Russian University of Transport (MIIT), Moscow, Russia

Abstract. There have been considered the issues related to solving diagnostic problems and establishing the vehicle group affiliation for a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident (crime), particularly a pedestrian collision in the evening or at night, and a vehicle that left the scene. There have been presented the statistical data confirming the relevance of this problem, as well as the opinions of scientists who consider road traffic accidents in such circumstances a serious threat to road safety. There have been listed and examined such main factors contributing to road accidents in the evening and at night as poor visibility, unlawful driver’s actions, the driver’s psychological and physical condition, etc. There has been noted that the relevance of this problem is characteristic not only of Russia but also of other countries. There have been described examples of successful solutions to certain traffic management and road safety issues in our country. There has been presented forensic methodology for identifying the make and model of a vehicle left the scene of an accident using external lighting devices while working with witnesses. There has been provided a description of the methodology, experimental studies, and their results. There has been concluded that the implementation of the proposed forensic methodology in the practical work of forensic and investigative units of internal affairs agencies will simplify the process of identifying a vehicle that left the scene of an accident, reduce the time required to compile operational-search information, and improve the efficiency of investigations in this category of cases. Furthermore, due to the current range of the Russian automobile market and the expansion of trade relations with China, there has been concluded that this methodology has potential for the future.

UDK: 351.811

Vitaly B. Vekhov - Doctor of Law, Professor, Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University), Academician, Honored Scientist and Educator of the Russian Academy of Natural History, Moscow, Russia

Abstract. The current paper deals with the official statistics revealing a constantly increasing number of road traffic accidents (RTAs) involving personal mobility devices (PMDs). Since establishing the administrative or criminal liability of those involved is highly problematic, and proving their guilt is also difficult, there has been proposed to address this negative situation by developing a theoretical and applied approach to forensic analysis of computer information contained in PMDs. The subjects of this study are the patterns of digital trace formation in electronic modules of the PMDs during road traffic accidents, the acquisition of digital evidence during their preliminary and forensic examination, and the development of scientifically based forensic recommendations for optimizing these law enforcement activities. The purpose of the work was to develop relevant theoretical and applied foundations for the forensic examination of evidentiary information contained in electronic modules of the PMDs, as well as methodological recommendations for optimizing the work with this evidence. Based on the study results, there has been concluded that forensic examination of digital evidence contained in electronic modules of PMDs should be carried out within the framework of digital forensics, as one of its new areas. The developed recommendations are aimed at advancing scientific knowledge in the field of digital forensics and can be applied in the investigation of road accidents involving PMDs.

UDK: 343.148

Igor V. Kiselevich - Candidate of Law, associate professor, head of the department “Criminalistics and forensic examination”, Russian University of Transport (MIIT), Moscow, Russia

Abstract. The current paper has considered the importance of transport examinations in the context of current trends and demonstrated how the results of transport examinations can affect vehicle safety. There has been studied the impact of modern advances in transportation on the methodology of transport examinations. There has been carried out the analysis of the challenges associated with commissioning and conducting transport examinations and proposed potential solutions.

UDK: 343.985

Aleksander V. Isaev - Candidate of Technical Sciences, associate professor, Department of Country Studies, Center for Arctic Studies, Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Olga N. Khudyakova - Expert of the autonomous non-commercial organization of science and education “Institute of Advanced Research and Examination”, Moscow, Russia

Scientific supervisor: Fedor M. Gorodinets, Doctor of Law, professor at the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Technical Forensics of the Humanitarian Institute of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

Abstract. The current paper has considered the integration of engineering and technical knowledge with jurisprudence in the context of criminal investigations under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code. The application of specialized knowledge in law enforcement will help avoid errors in the investigation of specific criminal cases, contribute not only to the protection of rights and freedoms, but also enforce national security for the real sector of the economy. Most railway transport examinations are commissioned by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Transport in criminal cases initiated under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code (violation of traffic safety regulations and the operation of rail, air, sea, inland waterway transport, and the underground). However, any methods or techniques, other than calculating a train’s braking distance, are absent in forensic practice. Scientific development of methods in railway transport forensics are of great importance and relevance.

UDK: 343.98

Vladimir Al. Isaev - Candidate of Technical sciences, associate professor, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Elizaveta Ig. Molodykh - Saint-Petersburg State Forest Technical University named after S. M. Kirov, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Arina S. Polyakova - Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Olga N. Khudyakova - specialist of the Forensics Center, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Abstract. The current paper deals with the analysis of the theoretical prerequisites of railway transport examination (RTE) methods, which represent a specific area of forensics based on the integration of engineering and legal knowledge. There has been considered the importance of forensics in establishing the circumstances of transport accidents, diagnosing the technical condition of rolling stock and infrastructure elements, and identifying cause-and-effect relationships between technical, organizational, and human factors. The primary focus is on the methods applicable to RTE. There has been profoundly analyzed the system approach method, allowing considering rail transport as a complex socio-technical system, where incidents result from the interaction of multiple factors. There have been highlighted the existing problems with systems analysis, such as ambiguity in terminology, the lack of a common understanding of the category “system”, and insufficient consideration of the processing of systems analysis results. There have been presented arguments in favor of standardizing terminology and an interdisciplinary approach. The following analysis has focused on the application of graph theory to solving diagnostic problems in railway engineering, specifically for studying the parametric reliability of complex technical objects and analyzing the performance of rolling stock braking systems. Special attention has been given to the constructive assumption method, which has both historical roots in engineering practice and contemporary significance in assessing the technical condition of railway assets. There has been concluded that the system approach methods, theories of graphs and design assumptions possess high theoretical and practical potential. Their integration into forensic work contributes to improving the quality of RTE, the objectivity of expert opinions, and the overall safe functioning of railway transport.