Experience of the review of the forensic psychological expert examination in criminal procedure

Introduction. The author broadened his understanding of the use of psychological knowledge with regard to forensic psychological expert examination under modern legislation in the field of expert activity. Materials and Methods. The author used forensic psychological and expert analysis of an expert psychologist's resolution, of the criminal case file concerning the fact of using psychic impact on the interrogatee by other people according to the requirements of the Federal Law No 73 “On Public Forensic Expert Activity in the Russian Federation” dated May 31, 2001. Results and Discussion. The content of the procedural form of an expert psychologist activity is deepened through the formation of professional competencies (knowledge, intellectual level) and possession of structural and content components of expert activity. The theoretical and practical aspects of the content of forensic psychological examinations conducted to establish the fact of psychic influence of the interrogated by other persons are generalized. The plot of the criminal case and some fragments of the examination are described. The experience of peer review of the expert examination is presented. The detailed argumentation of the evaluation of expert examination with a demonstration of defects, the specifics of diagnostic and expert discrepancies, and the shortcomings in the formulation of an expert psychologist's resolution is given. The expert psychologist's resolution is analyzed in accordance with the assessment and the requirements of the law, completeness and validity. The focus is made on the importance of objectivity, the profound scientific and practical validity and reliability of the data obtained during the forensic psychological examination. Conclusions. Examinations carried out by expert psychologists is a complex area of expert activity requiring peculiar responsibility and professionalism. Expert resolutions should be objective basing on scientific and practical grounds facilitating their verification.