Traces of a Person's Skin That Does Not Have a Papillary Pattern as an Object of Criminalistic Research

The article discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of forensic examination of human skin traces. Based on the analysis of the works of G.L. Granovsky, T.O. Moiseeva, A.S. Tatarchuk, and other authors, it is shown that such traces contain a complex of general and specific features that allow not only to identify a specific person, but also to determine their gender, age, and the presence of skin diseases. Special attention is paid to the methodology of preliminary investigation at the scene, modern methods of detection (including 3D scanning and cyanoacrylate cameras), as well as the prospects for a comprehensive approach involving forensic biological, forensic chemical, and microbiological examinations. The necessity of introducing non-traditional traces into expert practice is substantiated in conditions when criminals purposefully destroy dactyloscopic information.