Solving Problems Related to Environmental Crime Investigations

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to offer an analysis of Slovenian state ­institutions actual responses to the environmental crime at crime scenes and to propose solutions for more efficient and effective future work of police and prosecutors. In-depth target interviews were conducted with police officers, prosecutors and judges in order to define appropriate crime scene investigation procedures for recovering the evidence supporting the ensuing procedures in courts. These in-depth interviews consisted of questions regarding different views on the problems of investigating environmental crime and, in particular, the collection of evidence gathered from a crime scene. Further, crime scene security and safety issues were explored. The main problem in investigating environmental crimes is that, according to our latest experience, it is generally difficult to collect proper evidence on which to substantiate relevant indictment charges. More specifically, though the circumstances, attributes, and consequences of such crimes may be readily available, the major remaining unresolved issue is usually the identity of the offender(s). In such cases, good cooperation between the competent institutions is of crucial importance. The dividing line between the competences or jurisdiction of particular institutions (e.g. the police, forensics, and the inspectorate) is very thin, and it often happens that these have to solve an issue falling under their mutual jurisdiction. Finally, solutions for the future crime scene procedures by the police and harmonisation of the procedures regarding environmental crime are proposed.