Dictionaries of substandard language in lingvo-expert's practice

The article examines the use of slang dictionaries in the process of forensic linguistic examination. At the same time it demonstrates the impossibility of using dictionaries of the standard Russian language only for examination tasks. The paper target is to demonstrate the specific usage of slang lexicography in the expert's activities depending on the type of verbal offense. The article examines the possibility of using dictionaries of non-standard language in the frames of three types of offenses: protection of honour, dignity and business reputation, an insult to the authorities, police, judges, etc and crimes connected with the sale or manufacture of drugs. The first two cases are the most common type of verbal offenses for which the linguistic expertise is usually prescribed. But there are still some unsolved problems among legal professionals and linguists, i.e.: what can we consider as verbal insult? Does any swear word automatically become abusive? What is the role of context in the classification of a word as a juristic case of insult? This paper proposes a methodological solution to these questions, based on the authority of lexicographical sources generally recognized into the scientific community. At the same time in connection with crimes related to special jargon (for example, drug addicts' slang), the article proves the necessity to use not only paper dictionaries, but also the electronic lexicographical sources.