Since its establishment on July 24, 2020, the Forensic Expert Center of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) has completed a remarkable number of investigations. From 2021 onwards, its specialists have performed approximately 120,000 expert examinations. This significant figure was recently disclosed by Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the ICRF, during an interview held in anticipation of Investigator`s Day in Russia.
Bastrykin provided a detailed breakdown of these comprehensive studies: over 45,000 were biological in nature, 24,000 focused on forensic economic analysis, 12,000 involved computer-technical assessments, and 10,300 were complex construction and technical evaluations. He specifically noted that a portion of these latter investigations was crucial for assessing the damage sustained by civilian infrastructure as a direct consequence of actions by Ukrainian armed groups.
The Head of the ICRF further emphasized the success of the agency`s multi-year import substitution strategy. He explained that this initiative has enabled the seamless integration of domestic solutions across several critical areas, effectively mitigating the impact of international sanctions. This approach has been particularly impactful in enhancing expert and criminalistic activities, with substantial efforts made to collaborate with Russian manufacturers for essential materials and equipment.
A prime example of this successful localization is the complete transition within the DNA laboratories of the ICRF Forensic Expert Center. These facilities now exclusively utilize domestically produced reagents and equipment for all molecular genetic examinations, ensuring that Russian-made devices and chemical components are employed throughout every stage of DNA analysis.
Looking ahead, Bastrykin also outlined ambitious plans for the continued digital transformation within the ICRF. These initiatives include the development of cutting-edge laboratories designed for conducting advanced phonoscopic, computer-technical, and economic forensic examinations. Additionally, the committee is committed to a phased replacement program, substituting existing foreign expert equipment and software with high-quality, domestically developed alternatives.
