Features of the initial stage of the investigation of illegal search and (or) removal of archaeological objects from the places of occurrence

Introduction: the article discusses the provisions on the features of the initial stage of the investigation of illegal search and (or) seizure of archaeological objects from the places of occurrence, reveals the specifics of the activities of law enforcement agencies at this stage. Materials and Methods: the methodological basis of the study was based on the dialectical method of scientific cognition. The validity of the conclusions was achieved through the usage of such general scientific research methods as analysis, synthesis, situational modeling, special scientific: structural and functional, legal methods. The empirical basis were the materials of investigative and judicial practice of various regions of the Russian Federation from 2013 to 2021. Results: based on the results of the conducted study, the author offered the classification of typical investigative situations that arise at the initial stage of the investigation of illegal search and (or) seizure of archaeological objects from places of occurrence, taking into account the patterns of committing these crimes. Discussion and Conclusions: as a result of the study, a set of investigative actions is proposed to resolve the existing investigative situations of the initial stage of the investigation of illegal search and (or) seizure of archaeological objects from the places of occurrence.