INVESTIGATION OF THE CRIMES PROVIDED FOR IN ART. ART. 402, 403 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF UKRAINE (DISOBEDIENCE AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER)
Author (s): Shershenkova V.
Work place:
Shershenkova V.,
Candidate of Law, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of
Operational and Investigative and Police Activities,
National University «Odesa Law Academy»,
Odesa, Ukraine
ORCID: 0000-0002-3123-8578
Language: Ukrainian
Scientific Herald of Sivershchyna. Series: Law 2026 No 2 (28): 287-298
https://doi.org/10.32755/sjlaw.2026.
The article examines important issues related to the investigation of military criminal offenses, such as disobedience and failure to obey orders, which are quite common in the military sphere. The main legal, organizational and forensic aspects of the investigation of these military criminal offenses are identified.
The elements of crimes provided for in Art. Art. 402, 403 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine are considered, they have much in common and where they differ. The main criteria for their differentiation regarding the form of guilt, the moment of the end of the crime, the type and maximum punishment are determined. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the motives for committing disobedience and failure to comply with the order, collecting evidence, tactical methods of conducting interrogations, inspecting the scene of events, conducting examinations. During the investigation of failure to comply with the order, the following examinations are conducted: forensic medical, forensic psychiatric, forensic technical, forensic handwriting, military tactical.
The reasons that motivate the commission of such military criminal offenses as disobedience and failure to comply with an order are outlined. The primary investigative (search) actions include questioning the commander, suspect and witnesses, inspecting the scene of the incident or objects. In the course of further investigation, witness interrogations continue, and necessary examinations are prescribed. The importance of establishing the following issues is noted: in what conditions the serviceman was brought up before the start of military service, what is his attitude towards military service, and whether there were any cases of violation of military discipline. The peculiarities of the investigation of non-compliance with a combat order are established, what investigative (search) actions and examinations are carried out.
Practical recommendations are given regarding the effectiveness of the investigation, what punishments are most often imposed by the court, and measures are proposed to prevent the commission of such military criminal offenses.
Key words: disobedience, failure to comply with an order, military crimes, investigation, criminal process, criminalistics.
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