Detection, recording and removal of traces of criminal activity as one of the tasks of the criminal case initiation stage

Introduction: the article discusses the purpose and objectives of the stage of initiation of a criminal case. The author is of the opinion that the purpose of the stage is to establish the presence or absence of signs of a criminal act. One of the most important tasks of the stage, subordinate to this goal, is the detection, fixation and removal of traces of criminal activity. Materials and Methods: the material basis of this study was scientific and theoretical works devoted to the problems of understanding the tasks of the stage of initiating a criminal case. The methodological basis of the research was formed by the formal legal method using general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, as well as the hermeneutic method. Results: despite the fact that some authors believe that identifying such a task as detecting, fixing and removing traces of criminal activity at the initial stage will entail its transition to the preliminary investigation stage, it is directly consistent with the purpose of the criminal process. Denial of the need for a procedure for detecting, fixing and seizing traces of criminal activity from the moment the inspection begins, leads to ineffectiveness of the activities of law enforcement agencies at the considered and subsequent stages of criminal proceedings. Discussion and Conclusions: on the basis of the study, the author argues the need for such a task at the stage of initiating a criminal case as the detection, fixation and removal of traces of criminal activity.