Information obtained at the stage of initiation of a criminal case in the territories of foreign states as a means of proof

The change in the structure of modern crime and the need to improve the legal instruments of investigation have led to a significant qualitative transformation of the institute of international cooperation in the field of legal assistance in criminal cases. This circumstance has revealed some problematic issues related to the limits of determining the results of legal aid as a means of proof. The purpose of this study is to form a set of scientific provisions on information obtained in the course of providing assistance in verifying reports of crimes as a special means of proof, which determine the possibility of further development of criminal procedure legislation and optimization of law enforcement practice. In the article, taking into account international and Russian legislation, using the example of the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, topical issues related to the evidentiary value of materials obtained in the territories of foreign states at the stage before the initiation of criminal proceedings are considered. Prospects for the application of consular legal assistance in criminal cases, attention is focused on the specifics of obtaining evidence as a result of its provision in foreign jurisdictions. The author suggests ways to improve the criminal procedure legislation in this area. The purpose of this study is to form a set of scientific provisions on information obtained in the course of providing assistance in verifying reports of crimes as a special means of proof, which determine the possibility of further development of criminal procedure legislation and optimization of law enforcement practice. Taking into account international and Russian legislation, using the example of the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, topical issues related to the evidentiary value of materials obtained in the territories of foreign states at the stage before the initiation of criminal proceedings are considered. Prospects for the application of consular legal assistance in criminal cases, attention is focused on the specifics of obtaining evidence as a result of its provision in foreign jurisdictions. The author suggests ways to improve the criminal procedure legislation in this area.