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Investigation of Criminal Offences in the Field of Official Activity: Analysis of International Experience and the Possibility of its Application in Ukraine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2025

Oleksandr Yu Amelin*
Affiliation:
Prosecutor General’s Office, Kyiv, Ukraine Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine
Ruslan Pyniaha
Affiliation:
Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine
Roman Zaloznyi
Affiliation:
Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine
Olga Dmytrova
Affiliation:
Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine
Serhii Kryvoshlykov
Affiliation:
Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine
*
Corresponding author: Oleksandr Yu Amelin; Email: yuamelinoleksandr@gmail.com

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the European experience of investigating criminal offences in the field of official activity and the peculiarities of its adaptation to the Ukrainian context. The study employed a combination of case study methods, formal legal analysis, content analysis, comparative legal analysis, contextual analysis and PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal) analysis. The analysis of international experience was conducted in the context of European Union member states that have successfully established effective systems for investigating crimes in the public sector, including Germany, France and Poland. The study found that the approaches and strategies implemented in Ukraine have several shortcomings that significantly reduce the effectiveness of criminal investigations, including a widening gap between the number of registered offences and the number of notices of suspicion served. The reason for the identified discrepancy is the lack of coordination between the subjects of criminal investigations, as well as the lack of transparency of the investigation process and accountability of the parties involved. To overcome these shortcomings, the study recommended adapting the German experience in the field of round-the-clock interaction between the subjects of a criminal investigation, which guarantees quick access to information and prompt permission to conduct investigative actions. Adaptation of the French experience in conducting investigations was recommended to ensure cross-control of the investigation subjects and improve the efficiency of their work. The Polish experience of utilizing electronic resources in criminal proceedings was recommended to enhance interdisciplinary cooperation among the parties involved in the investigation. Adopting the best international practices can be used to enhance the detection statistics of criminal offences and increase public confidence in the country’s system for investigating and prosecuting criminal misconduct in office.

Abstracto

Abstracto

El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la experiencia europea en la investigación de delitos penales en el ámbito de la actividad oficial y las peculiaridades de su adaptación al contexto ucraniano. El estudio empleó una combinación de métodos de estudio de caso, análisis jurídico formal, análisis de contenido, análisis jurídico comparativo, análisis contextual y análisis PESTEL. El análisis de la experiencia internacional se llevó a cabo en el contexto de los Estados miembros de la UE que han establecido con éxito sistemas eficaces de investigación de delitos en el sector público, como Alemania, Francia y Polonia. El estudio reveló que los enfoques y estrategias implementados en Ucrania presentan varias deficiencias que reducen significativamente la eficacia de las investigaciones penales, incluyendo una brecha cada vez mayor entre el número de delitos registrados y el número de notificaciones de sospecha emitidas. La discrepancia identificada se debe a la falta de coordinación entre los sujetos de las investigaciones penales, así como a la falta de transparencia del proceso de investigación y de rendición de cuentas de las partes involucradas. Para superar estas deficiencias, el estudio recomendó adaptar la experiencia alemana en el ámbito de la interacción permanente entre los sujetos de una investigación penal, lo que garantiza un acceso rápido a la información y la autorización inmediata para llevar a cabo las acciones de investigación. Se recomendó adaptar la experiencia francesa en la realización de investigaciones para garantizar el control transversal de los sujetos de investigación y mejorar la eficiencia de su trabajo. Se recomendó la experiencia polaca en el uso de recursos electrónicos en procesos penales para fortalecer la cooperación interdisciplinaria entre las partes involucradas en la investigación. La adopción de las mejores prácticas internacionales puede utilizarse para mejorar las estadísticas de detección de delitos y aumentar la confianza pública en el sistema nacional de investigación y persecución penal de faltas de conducta en el cargo.

Abstrait

Abstrait

L’étude visait à analyser l’expérience européenne en matière d’enquêtes sur les infractions pénales dans le domaine de l’activité officielle et les particularités de son adaptation au contexte ukrainien. Elle a utilisé une combinaison de méthodes d’études de cas, d’analyse juridique formelle, d’analyse de contenu, d’analyse juridique comparative, d’analyse contextuelle et d’analyse PESTEL. L’analyse de l’expérience internationale a été menée dans le contexte des États membres de l’UE ayant mis en place avec succès des systèmes efficaces d’enquêtes sur les infractions dans le secteur public, notamment l’Allemagne, la France et la Pologne. L’étude a révélé que les approches et stratégies mises en oeuvre en Ukraine présentaient plusieurs lacunes qui réduisent considérablement l’efficacité des enquêtes pénales, notamment un écart croissant entre le nombre d’infractions enregistrées et le nombre d’avis de soupçon notifiés. Cet écart constaté s’explique par le manque de coordination entre les personnes concernées par les enquêtes pénales, ainsi que par le manque de transparence du processus d’enquête et de responsabilisation des parties impliquées. Pour pallier ces lacunes, l’étude a recommandé d’adapter l’expérience allemande en matière d’interaction permanente entre les personnes concernées par les enquêtes pénales, garantissant un accès rapide à l’information et une autorisation rapide de mener des actions d’enquête. Il a été recommandé d’adapter l’expérience française en matière d’enquêtes afin d’assurer un contrôle croisé des personnes concernées et d’améliorer l’efficacité de leur travail. L’expérience polonaise d’utilisation des ressources électroniques dans les procédures pénales a également été recommandée afin de renforcer la coopération interdisciplinaire entre les parties impliquées dans l’enquête. L’adoption des meilleures pratiques internationales peut contribuer à améliorer les statistiques de détection des infractions pénales et à renforcer la confiance du public dans le système national d’enquête et de poursuite des fautes professionnelles.

摘要

摘要

本研究旨在分析欧洲在官方活动领域调查刑事犯罪的经验及其在乌克兰背景下的适应性。研究结合了案例研究方法、形式法律分析、内容分析、比较法律分析、情境分析和PESTEL分析。国际经验分析以已成功建立有效公共部门犯罪调查体系的欧盟成员国(包括德国、法国和波兰)为背景。研究发现,乌克兰实施的方法和策略存在若干缺陷,这些缺陷显著降低了刑事调查的有效性,包括登记在案的犯罪数量与送达的嫌疑通知数量之间的差距不断扩大。造成这种差异的原因是刑事调查对象之间缺乏协调,以及调查过程缺乏透明度和相关方缺乏问责制。为了克服这些不足,该研究建议借鉴德国在刑事调查对象之间全天候互动方面的经验,以确保快速获取信息并迅速获得开展调查行动的许可。建议借鉴法国在开展调查方面的经验,以确保对调查对象的交叉管控并提高其工作效率。建议借鉴波兰在刑事诉讼中利用电子资源的经验,以加强调查各方之间的跨学科合作。借鉴国际最佳实践,可以提高刑事犯罪的侦破率,并增强公众对该国调查和起诉不当职务犯罪行为体系的信心。

ملخص

ملخص

هدفت الدراسة إلى تحليل التجربة الأوروبية في التحقيق في الجرائم الجنائية في مجال النشاط الرسمي، وخصائص تكيفها مع السياق الأوكراني. اعتمدت الدراسة على مزيج من مناهج دراسة الحالة، والتحليل القانوني الرسمي، وتحليل المحتوى، والتحليل القانوني المقارن، والتحليل السياقي، وتحليل PESTEL. أُجري تحليل التجارب الدولية في سياق الدول الأعضاء في الاتحاد الأوروبي التي نجحت في إرساء أنظمة فعالة للتحقيق في الجرائم في القطاع العام، بما في ذلك ألمانيا وفرنسا وبولندا. وخلصت الدراسة إلى أن النهج والاستراتيجيات المتبعة في أوكرانيا تشوبها العديد من العيوب التي تُضعف بشكل كبير فعالية التحقيقات الجنائية، بما في ذلك اتساع الفجوة بين عدد الجرائم المسجلة وعدد إشعارات الاشتباه الصادرة. ويعود سبب هذا التباين إلى ضعف التنسيق بين الجهات الخاضعة للتحقيقات الجنائية، فضلًا عن انعدام شفافية عملية التحقيق ومساءلة الأطراف المعنية. ولتجاوز هذه العيوب، أوصت الدراسة بتبني التجربة الألمانية في مجال التفاعل المستمر بين الجهات الخاضعة للتحقيق الجنائي، مما يضمن سرعة الوصول إلى المعلومات والحصول على إذن فوري لإجراء التحقيقات. أُوصيَ بتكييف التجربة الفرنسية في إجراء التحقيقات لضمان الرقابة المتبادلة على الأشخاص المعنيين وتحسين كفاءة عملهم. كما أُوصيَ بالتجربة البولندية في استخدام الموارد الإلكترونية في الإجراءات الجنائية لتعزيز التعاون متعدد التخصصات بين الأطراف المشاركة في التحقيق. ويمكن الاستفادة من أفضل الممارسات الدولية لتحسين إحصاءات الكشف عن الجرائم الجنائية وزيادة ثقة الجمهور في نظام الدولة للتحقيق في سوء السلوك الإجرامي وملاحقته قضائيًا.

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© International Society of Criminology, 2025

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