Košická bezpečnostná revue (Dec 2019)
Centralized Model of Forensics Service in Belarus
Abstract
Improving the organizational and legal support of forensic activities constitutes important part of the state policy in the area of national security. This article discusses the outcomes of the reform which was accomplished in Belarus in 2013 and which led to the creation of a new state body in charge of forensic activities in the country (the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus). The authors start with the description of the structure of expert bodies that existed in the Republic of Belarus at the time when it gained independence (1991). This structure though was traditional for the expert services at that time, placed expert on secondary roles, as they were considered to perform merely auxiliary tasks of the institution they were part of. As a result, the distribution of financing, equipment and other resources was not adequate. Formal subordination of forensic experts to police, healthcare and other state bodies created doubts as to their impartiality. All this was clearly creating adverse effect not only on the expert’s activities, but also on the situation in the republic in general, as lack of trust to forensic experts lowers public trust in justice. The authors contemplate on these and other reasons that led to the creation in 2013 of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus as a new body which united all experts that had previously worked in forensic units of various government bodies. In our view the analysis of this reform is valuable for a wide range of scholars, practitioners and policy-makers, as it clearly shows the points that need to be taken into consideration in the process of re-structuring the forensic service. The major results of the merger of expert units of various departments in a single Committee are shown (reduction of time for conducting expert examinations, better allocation of resources, etc.). In conclusion, some areas that require further attention with a view to enhance the centralized model of the organization of forensic activities in Belarus are described.
