SPECIFIC FEATURES OF CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON BLADED COLD WEAPONS

Abstract

This article analyzes the contemporary scientific and methodological features of forensic examination of bladed cold weapons. It substantiates the necessity of a comprehensive assessment of general and individual characteristics, geometric parameters of blades, properties of cutting edges, morphological structure of marks, toolmarks formed on bone and cartilage tissues, and evidence associated with biological traces in the identification of bladed weapons. The study examines the possibilities of validation experiments conducted by foreign researchers, as well as microscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy, epifluorescence, geometric morphometrics, and digital 3D comparison methods. Research findings demonstrate that individual expert assessment may be dependent on professional experience, that errors may occur in identifying certain morphological characteristics, and that making a definitive identification based on a single characteristic is not scientifically sufficient. The article proposes scientific and practical recommendations for improving the forensic examination of bladed weapons, ensuring the proper preservation of evidence, integrating microscopic and digital technologies, and enhancing the reliability of expert conclusions through statistical and validation-based criteria.