Revista
de la
Universidad
del Zulia
Fundada en 1947
por el Dr. Jesús Enrique Lossada
DEPÓSITO LEGAL ZU2020000153
ISSN 0041-8811
E-ISSN 2665-0428
Ciencias del
Agro,
Ingeniería
y Tecnología
Año 15 N° 42
Enero - Abril 2024
Tercera Época
Maracaibo-Venezuela
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46925//rdluz.42.11
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The Use of Databases in the Analysis of the Scene of Crime
Nataliia Akhtyrska*
Olena Kostiuchenko**
Yurii Sereda***
Anna Vynohradova****
Ivan Miroshnykov*****
ABSTRACT
The problems of using databases in the crime scene analysis are due to changes in the structure
of crime, adaptation of innovative technologies to the needs of law enforcement, and
protection of human rights. The complex of these aspects determines the relevance of the topic.
The aim of the study is identifying the peculiarities of using databases in the crime scene
analysis and the prospects for improving law enforcement activities with a view to crime
trends. The research employed logical, comparative methods, forecasting. It was revealed that
the mechanism of database creation and use is aimed at the fulfilment of the tasks of working
with traces at the crime scene. Correspondence of databases to the needs of law enforcement
activities is assessed through criteria grouped into resource, organizational and regulatory
clusters. Prospective databases should take crime trends into account. The latest methods of
working with traces are the final stage of the adaptation of research in the field of criminal
justice. The academic novelty of the study consists in a critical examination of the use of
databases in the crime scene analysis as a complex of the issues of communications and
innovations in law enforcement activities. The study opens up prospects for the development
of unified algorithms for information exchange for counteraction to transnational crime
KEYWORDS: Criminal proceedings, crime scene, investigation, databases, effectiveness of
evidence.
*Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Process and Criminalistics,
Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3357-7722. E-mail: philologyo22@gmail.com
**
Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Criminal Process and
Criminalistics, Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv,
Ukraine. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2243-1173. E-mail: lad66lkos@gmail.com
***
Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Public and International Law, Educational
and Scientific Institute “Law Institute of the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman”,
Kyiv, Ukraine. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5244-3573. E-mail: advokat14@gmail.com
****
Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Process and Criminalistics,
Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3147-0821. E-mail: god17notar@gmail.com
*****
Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics,
Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1851-075X. E-mail: 27miroshnikov879@gmail.com
Recibido: 06/10/2023 Aceptado: 01/12/2023
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El uso de bases de datos en el análisis de la escena del crimen
RESUMEN
Los problemas de utilizar bases de datos en el análisis de la escena del crimen se deben a los
cambios en la estructura del crimen, la adaptación de tecnologías innovadoras a las
necesidades de las fuerzas del orden y la protección de los derechos humanos. La
complejidad de estos aspectos determina la relevancia del tema. El objetivo del estudio es
identificar las peculiaridades del uso de bases de datos en el análisis de la escena del crimen
y las perspectivas de mejorar las actividades policiales con vistas a las tendencias delictivas.
La investigación utilizó métodos lógicos, comparativos y de previsión. Se reveló que el
mecanismo de creación y uso de la base de datos tiene como objetivo el cumplimiento de las
tareas de trabajo con huellas en la escena del crimen. La correspondencia de las bases de
datos con las necesidades de las actividades de aplicación de la ley se evalúa mediante
criterios agrupados en grupos de recursos, organizativos y regulatorios. Las bases de datos
prospectivas deberían tener en cuenta las tendencias delictivas. Los últimos métodos de
trabajo con huellas son la etapa final de la adaptación de la investigación en el campo de la
justicia penal. La novedad académica del estudio consiste en un examen crítico del uso de
bases de datos en el análisis de la escena del crimen como un complejo de cuestiones de
comunicación e innovaciones en las actividades policiales. El estudio abre perspectivas para
el desarrollo de algoritmos unificados de intercambio de información para combatir la
delincuencia transnacional.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Proceso penal, escena del crimen, investigación, bases de datos,
efectividad de la prueba.
Introduction
The crime scene inspection is the first investigative action in criminal proceedings.
It is tasked to record the event and collect physical evidence (Singh, 2020). The uniqueness
of each crime determines the specifics of the scene, of identifying traces, determining their
relevance and withdrawing them (Turvey and Freeman, 2022; De Roo et al., 2022). At the
same time, it is important to comply with the procedure of recording both the course of the
inspection and the results obtained (Korzh, 2018; Khairul et al., 2021). In general, a poor
inspection of the scene is the main reason for wrongful conviction and punishment (Kelty
et al., 2023). These standards of fair proceedings also apply to international justice
(Zarmsky, 2021).
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The use of databases involves their creation from objects that were withdrawn or
obtained during the scene inspection and studied by relevant experts (Fedchak, 2021;
Priakhin, 2022). This identifies a number of conceptual, organizational and applied
problems in the use of databases in the crime scene analysis, in particular:
- increasing volume of processed information in the field of criminal justice (Carrera
et al., 2021). In particular, this is related to the use of cyberspace as a place for committing
crimes, the emergence of new ways of committing illegal acts (Blahuta and Movchan, 2020);
- lack of unified methods of inspection of high-tech crime scenes and relevant
databases (Lisohor, 2020);
- a biased attitude of the investigators who inspect the scene to the selection and
prioritization of working with traces and with databases (Oatley et al., 2020; Lid´en and
Almazrouei, 2023), which leads to the loss of a significant number of traces (Ribaux et al.,
2022);
- low-quality communication between investigators and experts, overestimated
expectations from expert work (Almazrouei et al., 2020; Srivastava et al., 2022);
- problems of training persons involved in the creation of databases, including
specialized personnel of expert institutions (Wickenheise, 2023);
- overestimated appropriateness of using databases in the detection of serious
crimes and in combating crime in general (Santos and Machado, 2017).
Forensic databases are a tool for increasing opportunities for crime investigation
(Al-dhaqm et al., 2017; Senthil and Selvakumar, 2022). However, the problems of using
databases directly affect the observance of human rights in criminal proceedings (Carrera
et al., 2021). This determines the appropriateness of public discussion of the creation and
storage of relevant databases (Pugh, 2008).
All the problematic issues of using databases during the study of the crime scene are
relevant. However, only their comprehensive critical examination can lead to qualitative
changes in law enforcement work and strengthening of guarantees of human rights in the
field of criminal justice.
-Aim
The aim of this study is to consider the use of databases in the study of the crime
scene as a complex activity that ensures the effectiveness of evidence in criminal
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proceedings, and to clarify the prospects for its improvement. The aim involved the
fulfilment of the following research objectives: a) determine the mechanism of creating
databases that are used during the crime scene analysis; b) identify factors that affect the
effectiveness of such application, and to find out the impact of these factors on human
rights protection in criminal proceedings; c) outline promising directions for improving the
use of databases during crime scene inspections taking into account the current crime
trends.
1. Literature Review
The generalization of studies gave grounds to distinguish several aspects to which
experts pay special attention:
1. Determining the types of traces and databases, which are determined by the
specifics of crimes. In particular, the issues of DNA traces are investigated (Jakovski et al.,
2017), it is shown that they are not universal evidence (Amankwaa and McCartney, 2021;
Dela Rama, 2022). Understanding such relationships leads to recommendations on limiting
work with DNA traces (De Moor, 2018).
2. Development of the latest methods of working with traces, which enables
eliminating mistakes of trace detection at the scene and improve the quality of databases.
In particular, it is about: a) the use of neural networks for the analysis of video data, shoe
prints from the crime scene (Sahay et al., 2022; Wen et al., 2023); b) 3D-visualization,
which reveals the connection between the evidence and allows to fully reconstruct the
scene (Wang et al., 2019; Cunha et al., 2022; Ospina-Bohorquez´ et al., 2023), as well as
provide experts with remote access to it (Yu et al., 2023).
3. Inconsistency between scientific developments and the available skills of law
enforcement officers in working with traces and databases. It is noted that the imperfect
analytical methods lead to a decreased probability of collecting quality samples for further
examinations and databases, as well as a decreased quality of expert opinions (Kelty et al.,
2023). Accordingly, law enforcement officers lack the knowledge and skills to create and
update databases (Jha et al., 2019).
4. Professional deformation and stressful working conditions of investigators and
experts at the scene. In particular, studies showed selective attention to traces at the crime
scene, which leads to ignoring other relevant information at the crime scene (De Gruijter et
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al., 2017). A biased attitude of law enforcement officers and experts towards new methods is
noted, although the latter are more effective (Ribaux et al., 2022). At the same time, experts
at the crime scene feel pressure because of the inflated expectations regarding the speed of
making the right decisions (Almazrouei et al., 2020).
5. A separate direction is the study of the experience of different countries (Great
Britain, Switzerland, Canada, India, the USA, Ukraine, etc.). Positive aspects are noted
regarding: a) the creation of a wide range of databases from the objects withdrawn or
obtained during the scene inspection, after conducting relevant examinations (Fedchak,
2021; Priakhin, 2022); b) modernization of national databases with a view to the current
crime trends (Ribaux et al., 2022); c) joining efforts of states at the regional level to
exchange information (Amankwaa, 2020). The global level of data exchange through the
access of states to Interpol databases is also important (Interpol, 2022).
6. Human rights issues of the use of databases in the study of the scene mainly relate
to the detection, withdrawal of DNA traces, and the use of the DNA database. Specialists
draw attention to the appropriateness of adopting special laws (Office UK Government,
2023), which will enable creating a balance between traditional legal principles, human
rights, and new scientific developments (Srivastava et al., 2022). At the same time, the
problems of the balance of protection of public safety and human rights are urged
(Amankwaa and McCartney, 2021). In particular, the limitation of the use of the DNA base
(De Moor, 2018) is emphasized, which may become the subject of public discussion (Pugh,
2008).
So, the literature presents a number of conclusions regarding the use of databases in
the study of the crime scene. However, they are mainly aimed at revealing certain
problematic issues and fragmentarily affect the modern features of the criminal situation.
2. Methods
The aim was achieved and the research objectives were fulfilled through the
selection and generalization of sources on the legal and organizational problems of using
databases during the study of the scene, as well as the prospects for their solution. For this
purpose, a) reports on the features of databases and analytical reports on the results of
their application; b) the experience of Ukraine as a country with a transitive legal system,
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Great Britain and Switzerland as stable democracies whose criminal situation reflects
modern crime trends were used.
This made it possible to a) clarify the essence and mechanism of using databases
during crime scene analysis; b) identify factors affecting the introduction of the latest
methods of working with traces and databases at the crime scene; c) determined the
prospects for improving crime scene analysis and the use of databases with due regard to
the peculiarities of the crime structure. The research stages are presented in the form of a
block diagram (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Block diagram of the research design
Determination of the aim
and objectives of the
research in the context of
the connection between the
features of criminal offences
and the specifics of traces at
the scene
Identifying unresolved
problems of the use of
databases during scene
inspection taking into account
the peculiarities of the crime
structure
1
2
3
Determination of a
set of research
methods of factors
that influence the use
of databases in the
study of crime scenes
Selection and analysis of: legal
information on the
importance of the scene
inspection in the structure of
evidence; on the state of
human rights protection when
working with databases;
practical experience regarding
the specifics of law
enforcement practice at the
scene and working with
databases
Drawing conclusions on the
peculiarities of the use of
databases in the study of the
crime scene taking into account
the current crime structure;
providing recommendations on
the prospects for increasing the
effectiveness of law enforcement
activities and human rights
protection in the field of
criminal justice
4
5
6
The study employed the following methods:
- system approach was used to understand the essence and significance of the use
of databases in the scene analysis in the course of proving taking into account threats to
human rights in the field of criminal justice;
-
descriptive analysis
was applied to study the factors that influence the use of
databases in the crime scene analysis;
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- the logical-legal method was employed to identify the specifics of the legal
regulation of the creation and application of databases in the context of human rights
protection;
- the comparative method made it possible to compare the experience of Ukraine
and foreign countries regarding the practice of using databases during the scene analysis;
- the forecasting method was used to determine the prospects for improving the
study of the crime scene and the use of databases taking into account the peculiarities of
the crime structure.
3. Results
The issue of using databases during the study of the crime scene is important for:
a) proving in criminal proceedings; b) organization of communication between
investigators and experts; c) introduction of innovations in law enforcement activities; d)
protection of human rights in the field of criminal justice. Inspection of the crime scene is
an urgent investigative action, the speed and completeness of criminal proceedings will
depend on its quality. Therefore, it is important to understand the tasks of the scene
inspection (see Figure 2).
Figure 2.
The tasks for the crime scene inspection
studying and
recording the
environment of the
crime scene
Establishing the mechanism of the event in detail
detection,
recording and
withdrawal of
crime traces
obtaining data for
further investigative
actions
establishing the nature of the
criminal’s impact on the
environment
Scene inspection
The use of such databases becomes especially important in the context of data
shortage for the organization of investigation and detection of crime traces. However,
investigators and experts are also active subjects in the creation of databases, as they fill
them with information from crime scenes (see Figure 3).
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Only those databases that are created in the prescribed manner by the proper
subjects have procedural significance. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanism of
their creation. It will be determined by the level of the base (local, national, regional,
universal) and the legal regulation of its creation and application (see Figure 4).
Figure 3.
Relationship between scene inspection and database performance
Databases
Databases
Scene inspection
data relevant to the
identification of traces found
at the scene
data that are important for
solving a crime
Figure 4. The general mechanism of database creation and its application during the crime
scene analysis
detection of
traces/data of a
certain kind
carrying out
expert
research
interpretation of results
in the form of certain
data
transfer to the
database
operator
response to a request for
information
request for information relevant
to the circumstances of the
crime
creation/additio
n of the
database
activities of special entities defined in regulatory legal acts
National peculiarities are revealed when considering the subject composition of
database creation. The experience of several states with different legal traditions - Ukraine,
Great Britain and Switzerland was used as an example:
- in Ukraine, the operators of these databases are public authorities only (including
law enforcement agencies). The databases are created at the national level. However, there
is no single national operator of such databases;
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- a special body has been created in Great Britain, the competence of which has been
extended to the database of DNA profiles and fingerprints since 2016. This body is tasked
to implement the strategy and policy of the most efficient and effective use of these
databases (Office UK Government, 2023);
- in Switzerland, the main subject is non-specialized units that carry out an
inspection of the scene and basic laboratory examinations. Unified national databases are
created at the same time (Ribaux et al., 2022).
The latest developments and changes in the crime structure determine the
appropriateness of forensic innovations. The similarity of the mechanism of creation and
application of databases in states with different legal systems allows us to determine the
main factors that limit the introduction of the latest methods of working with traces (see
Figure 5).
Figure 5. Factors affecting the adoption of the latest methods of working with traces and
databases at the crime scene
Limiting factors
well-established methods
of working with traces
when inspecting the
scene
lagging of practical skills
behind the development
of forensic science
burden on persons
inspecting the
crime scene
lack of the latest
research
equipment
The complex of these factors has a negative effect on the psychological resistance of
law enforcement officers and experts to stress factors. This, in turn, reduces interest in new
work methods and willingness to learn relevant skills. Along with this, the creation and
implementation of new databases is an organizationally complex task. A number of criteria
are determined to assess the compliance of these databases with the needs of law
enforcement activities. The experts present an approach to such criteria as having different
meanings. However, it is considered appropriate to group these criteria into clusters based
on their nature. At the same time, a certain cluster may acquire primary importance
depending on the situation in the state (see Figure 6).
It is seen that the integration of the database into national and international data
exchange systems is especially important in the international context due to the
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transnationalization of crime. In general, compliance with the specified criteria will allow
optimizing the work of law enforcement officers and experts in detecting and investigating
a certain type of crime, first of all, when inspecting the crime scene.
The introduction of new databases will require the development of appropriate
methods of work in the study of crime scenes. This involves a certain sequence of actions
with the overall value of neutralizing the identified limiting factors (see Figure 7).
Figure 6.
Criteria for compliance of the database with the needs of law enforcement
activities
Resource cluster
Organizational cluster
Normative cluster
1. implementation estimate
2. human resources
1. compliance with the specifics of
types of crimes
2. maintenance in accordance with
the state of scientific innovations
3. availability of work platforms
with a database for persons at the
crime scene
4. integration into data exchange
systems at the national and
international levels
1. compliance with international
standards for the protection of
human rights and freedoms
2. consistency with national
procedural legislation
Figure 7. Stages of introduction of new methods of work at the crime scene and
application of databases
Adaptation of the latest studies to the needs of law enforcement
Infrastructural provision of innovation (including data exchange platforms)
Legal support (at the level of individual regulatory acts or changes to
procedural legislation)
Specific methods of work of investigators and experts when studying the
crime scene and working with databases
In view of the foregoing, it is appropriate to identify promising directions for
improving the study of the crime scene and the use of databases:
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1. Creation of new databases in accordance with changes in the structure of crime
taking into account the criteria of compliance with the needs of law enforcement activities.
2. Introduction of new methods of work at the scene and application of databases in
accordance with the proposed sequence.
3. Improving the professional training of authorized subjects who will use high-tech
means of inspecting the scene and applying databases.
Considering the transnationalization of crime, it is appropriate to discuss unified
algorithms for the implementation of such directions. This will enable coordinating
information exchange systems between states with different legal systems.
4. Discussion
This study confirmed the relevance of considering the problems of using databases
during crime scene analysis. In particular, taking into account the experience of leading
countries (U.S. Department of Justice, 2023), one should agree with the noted correlation
between the specifics of crimes and the types of traces and databases. Although they were
studied using the example of DNA traces (Dela Rama, 2022; Jakovski et al., 2017), given the
changes in the crime structure (Amankwaa and McCartney, 2021), these patterns are of a
general nature. This is revealed in the crime scene analysis as a process of interpretation of
specific features of the crime and relevant contextual information (Turvey and Freeman,
2022). Therefore, the continuation of such studies is considered promising.
The statement about a connection between the discrepancy between modern
scientific developments and the existing skills of law enforcement officers in working with
traces and databases can be supported. This is one of the stress factors for working at the
scene. At the same time, we believe that not only investigators (Tehrani, 2023), but also
experts are exposed to stress. This is an important aspect, because the use of forensic
examination as a tool to determine the guilt of suspects is increasing (Dela Rama, 2022).
Both categories of persons at crime scenes make mistakes, which are usually associated
with haste at the crime scene and lack of experience/knowledge and/or professional
training (Jha et al., 2019; Kelty et al., 2023). In view of the latest approaches to working
with traces, the position about a biased attitude of law enforcement officers and experts to
work at the crime scene should be supported (Ribaux et al., 2022). This study emphasizes
that such a combination of factors is a significant obstacle to the introduction of the latest
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methods of working with traces and the creation of databases. Therefore, proposals for the
inclusion of behavioural sciences in crime scene inspection methods should be supported,
which will improve the work with traces (De Roo et al., 2022).
This article pays special attention to the importance of solving issues of legal
regulation of the use of databases during the scene analysis. We support the adoption of
special laws that enable: a) balancing traditional legal principles, human rights and new
scientific developments (Srivastava et al., 2022); b) harmonizing international standards
and national legislation and policy, ensure transnational exchange of information from
databases (Amankwaa, 2020; Gryshchenko et al., 2022).
We support the discussion on the development of a methodology for the work of the
police and experts on the collection and analysis of information (Ribaux et al., 2022),
including databases. However, it should be noted that: a) the implementation of the latest
databases must meet a set of efficiency criteria (Amankwaa and McCartney, 2019); b) from
a technological perspective, the modern process of digital forensic research cannot
effectively take into account various aspects of complex infrastructure (Rossy et al., 2013;
Senthil and Selvakumar, 2022); c) digital tools do not always meet the standards of justice
due to non-compliance with the requirements of confidentiality, data protection, and
information security (Carrera et al., 2021). This study emphasizes the urgency of adapting
the latest research to the needs of law enforcement, as well as their infrastructural support,
including data exchange platforms. The policing methodology can be developed after the
legal regulation of new methods of collecting evidence and creating databases.
In general, the above considerations can be the ground for legal and organizational
mechanisms for the effective use of databases in crime scene investigations.
Conclusions
The academic novelty of the conducted research consists in a critical examination of
the problem of using databases during the crime scene analysis as a component of the
following contexts: a) provision of evidence in criminal proceedings; b) communications in
the field of law enforcement at the national and international levels; c) introduction of
innovations in law enforcement activities; d) protection of human rights in the field of
criminal justice.
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It is shown that the scene inspection is a complex action with a system of tasks, the
fulfilment of which is impossible without the use of databases. The general mechanism for
creating a database is presented with clarification of the features of the subject
composition depending on the specifics of national legal systems. A generalization of the
main factors that limit the introduction of the latest methods of working with traces is
given. A cluster approach to the criteria of compliance of databases with the needs of law
enforcement activities is proposed (resource, organizational and regulatory clusters are
distinguished). The sequence of stages of implementation of the latest methods of work of
the police and experts in identifying and withdrawing traces at the crime scene is
presented.
Promising directions for improving the crime scene analysis and the use of databases
are identified. Emphasis is placed on a) the creation of new databases taking into account
changes in the crime structure; b) phased implementation of new methods of work at the
scene and the use of databases; c) enhanced training of authorized subjects. The
appropriateness of developing unified algorithms for coordination of interstate information
exchange systems to combat transnational crime is argued.
The applied value of the study consists in directing recommendations to a) the
improvement of professional and psychological training of investigators and experts on the
use of the latest technologies; b) improvement of legal support for the use of databases
containing important personal information; c) appropriateness of anticipatory
development of crime scene analysis methods based on crime forecasting.
Limitations
Research on the use of databases during scene investigation is naturally limited by
the number of relevant databases. Their number is constantly increasing due to the
emergence of new types of crimes and methods of their investigation.
Recommendations
- in the field of organization of law enforcement activity, the improvement of
training of investigators and experts on the use of the latest technologies for the detection
of traces and the use of databases is considered a priority;
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- in the field of legal protection, it is promising to improve the regulation of the
creation and use of databases containing important personal information;
- in the research field, further study of the connections between the features of
criminal behaviour and traces at the scene is necessary. It is also promising to predict the
appearance of new types of crimes and to develop methods for inspecting the places where
they were committed.
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