INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION OF DECEASED PERSONS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve the process of forensic identification of deceased persons in conditions of armed conflict, man-made disasters, and mass burials, which have become real challenges for Ukraine. Traditional methods of examination do not always ensure the accuracy and completeness of conclusions in complex circumstances where the knowledge and techniques of related biomedical disciplines are required. At the same time, the strengthening of international humanitarian law standards, compliance with bioethical norms and human rights require the modernization of existing approaches to the identification of deceased persons. The aim of the study is to justify the need for an interdisciplinary approach to forensic identification in Ukraine by integrating methods of microbiology, immunology, histology, and dentistry, taking into account current conditions, legal requirements, and international ethical standards. The work uses interdisciplinary synthesis, elements of systemic and comparative legal analysis, case studies of practical situations (in particular, events in Izyum and Bucha), structural and logical generalization, and analysis of the regulatory and legal framework. International ethical standards enshrined in the ICMP protocols and the Istanbul Protocol have also been taken into account. The study found that the comprehensive use of microbiological, immunological, histological, and dental techniques significantly improves the accuracy of body identification, especially in cases of destructive changes in biological material. The main regulatory and organizational obstacles that complicate the implementation of such methods in national practice were identified. The advantages of integrating related fields of knowledge into the expert process were considered separately. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive justification of a model of interdisciplinary forensic identification in Ukraine, which provides for close cooperation between specialists from various biomedical fields with strict adherence to legal and bioethical norms. For the first time, methodological criteria necessary for the effective work of interdisciplinary expert groups have been defined. The conclusions emphasize that the implementation of the proposed model requires updating legislation, creating a unified national database of identification data, improving the professional training of experts, and developing clear, unified working protocols. Particular attention should be paid to the development of interagency cooperation and strengthening control over compliance with bioethical standards at all stages of forensic medical examination. Further areas of research include improving digital platforms for systematizing and sharing identification results, developing new algorithms for analyzing biological data, and expanding independent ethical control mechanisms in line with international recommendations.