Establishing the possibility of shooting without pressing the trigger on the example of the study of the IZHK-1 rifle and the Mauser-98K carbine

Abstract

The article deals with the most characteristic issues of forensic research into the possibility of shooting without pulling the trigger for certain types of hunting weapons. An analysis of domestic publications in the field of non-identification forensic ballistics studies of firearms was carried out, as well as archival materials of expert, investigative and judicial practice in criminal proceedings related to the careless use of hunting smoothbore and rifled weapons were used. The problem of the research is the need to find innovative methods and means of increasing the reliability of the conclusions of the forensic ballistics examination regarding the assessment of the possibility of firing a shot from a hunting weapon without pulling the trigger. The purpose of the research is a detailed analysis of technical factors and external factors that increase the probability of a shot without pulling the trigger and the search for methodical approaches to solving this situational task during ballistics examination by conducting an expert experiment in artificially reproduced conditions with the involvement of computer simulation tools of the dynamic interaction of parts and details of weapons in order to simulate abnormal situations, as well as diagnosing specific types of hunting weapons on specialized test benches stands The methodological basis of the work was general scientific and special research methods, in particular formal-logical, systemic-structural, comparative-legal and the method of analysis and generalization ofscientific sources in this field of knowledge, information from judicial, investigative and expert practice. The scientific novelty consists in an individual methodical approach to solving a situational expert task regarding the possibility of involuntarily activating a hunting weapon under certain conditions and circumstances of its use, using the example of a single-barreled smoothbore hunting rifle of the IZHK-1 model and a Mauser-98K carbine. According to the authors, the assessment of the possibility of shooting without pulling the trigger, by extrapolation of the design features and shortcomings of individual weapons identified by the expert during the study to the entire group (species) of hunting weapons to which it belongs, is quite acceptable, although in theevent of a malfunction or significant operational wear, it may behave differently under the influence of external factors. In the conclusions, it is substantiated that the effective solution of situational expert tasks ofestablishing the causes of shots without pulling the trigger is possible only under the condition of complex application of various research methods and tools and an interdisciplinary approach. Such a systematicapproach to the solution of the investigated problem will encourage experts to further scientific research with the aim of developing new separate expert methods of research of the most common types of hunting weapons, taking into account their individual design features. This will also be facilitated by the introduction of innovative research tools, in particular tomographic systems of x-ray 3D analysis and the use of specialized stands for automated diagnostics of weapon parameters that determine its safe operation.