Some Challenging Issues of the Involvement of Specialists in the Initiation of a Criminal Case on Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

Purpose: based on an analysis of law enforcement practice of a specialist’s participation in the study of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances at the stage of initiating a criminal case, to identify problems that affect the effectiveness of the investigation of such crimes. Research methods: analysis, synthesis, comparative legal method. Conclusion: the legal basis for the participation of a specialist at the stage of initiating a criminal case needs to be improved. Scientific and practical significance: some proposals have been formulated to eliminate gaps in the legislation regarding the activities of a specialist at the stage of initiating a criminal case for crimes related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, in particular, it has been proposed to establish at the legislative level the need to draw up a conclusion instead of a certificate based on the results of a preliminary study, which has evidentiary value.