The Role of Forensic Expertise in the Field of Judicial Police Procedures Before Law Enforcement Authorities : A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study examines the role of professional expertise in judicial investigation procedures during the stages of inquiry and evidence gathering, and the extent to which such expertise contributes to assisting police officers acting as judicial police officers in resolving complex criminal cases that require expert intervention. The study further addresses the powers vested in police officers to seek the assistance of experts in examining crime scene evidence, injuries, and deaths. It also identifies the various fields of expertise affiliated with police authorities and forensic medicine institutions across different specializations that may be utilized in criminal investigations. The findings indicate that the legislator granted judicial police officers the authority to seek assistance from experts affiliated with police authorities, regardless of the nature or type of the crime, for the purpose of inspecting and examining criminal evidence. However, they were not granted authority to engage forensic medicine experts to conduct external examinations or autopsies in cases of violent or suspicious deaths. The study further concludes that judicial police officers are entitled to appoint forensic experts or hospital physicians to conduct medical examinations of injured persons in criminal cases. In addition, the findings reveal that the Egyptian legislator explicitly authorizes judicial police officers to seek the assistance of experts, including physicians and other specialists, to conduct inspections and examinations irrespective of the nature of the crime, whereas the Moroccan legislator permits judicial police officers to rely on expert assistance in cases of flagrante delicto and, in urgent circumstances, in other criminal cases.