Igor Amelchakov, Elena Ivanova
On 27 January 2026, at a meeting of the Academic Council of the St Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Elena Ivanova, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Forensics and Law in Construction and Transport (F&LinC&T), Senior Lecturer at the SPbGASU Department of Forensics, was ceremoniously awarded a PhD of Juridical Sciences diploma.
The diploma was presented by the Chairman of the Academic Council, Police Lieutenant General Igor Amelchakov.
On 9 October 2025, Elena Ivanova successfully defended her dissertation on "Obtaining samples for comparative analysis in crime detection and investigation: theory and practice" in her academic specialty of 5.1.4 Criminal Law (Legal Sciences). The defense took place before Dissertation Council 03.2.008.02, established at the St Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
This dissertation examines current issues in obtaining samples for comparative analysis. The paper proposes a modern classification of samples, reflecting both the procedural and forensic aspects of their differentiation, and explores the capabilities of hardware and software systems and software products that enable the use of modern technologies in obtaining samples for comparative analysis.
"The results of this work are of practical significance, primarily for law enforcement agencies, due to the specific nature of the forensic objects under consideration. At the same time, the scientific findings regarding the nature of samples for comparative analysis will contribute to the development of methodological and practical recommendations for obtaining them during engineering and technical examinations, as well as algorithms for using modern technologies in expert examinations and expert experiments," notes Elena Ivanova.
The results of the dissertation research have been implemented into the educational activities of the SPbGASU Department of Forensics and are actively used in conducting classes in the disciplines “Legal basis of forensic activity”, “Participation of a specialist in legal proceedings”, and “Forensic science”.
