Development of forensic ecology as a way to counteract environmental crimes

Abstract

The paper presents a brief overview of contemporary condition of environmental crimes in the Russian Federation based on the analysis of official statistical data. The authors note that the last five years witnessed an increase in the anthropogenic impact on the environment, but the number of environmental crimes registered by law enforcement bodies has at the same time decreased. Besides, the environmental crime’s structure is dominated by such violations as illegal logging and destruction of forests as well as illegal hunting and use of aquatic bio-resources. The authors examine the contemporary condition and development prospects of the institute of environmental forensic inquiry viewed as one of the effective instruments of counteracting environmental crimes. They offer a definition of forensic ecology as an independent part of ecology that contributes to solving problems arising in the court proceedings dealing with the negative environmental impact cases. The authors also analyze key problems of the environmental forensic inquiry process. They pay special attention to the innovative interdisciplinary course for training forensic experts in ecology taught to the students of the Department of Ecology at Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. The aim of this course is, on the one hand, to contribute to the environmental education of the community and, on the other hand, to improve the efficiency of counteracting environmental crimes. This course is unique both in Russia and abroad, it is needed in contemporary society as testified by the National Prize in Geography, Ecology, Conservation and Popularization of Natural, Historical and Cultural Legacy of Russia «Khrustalny Compas» (Crystal Compass) and the National Prize in Ecology «ERAECO 2014».