The problems of judicial expertise in criminal proceedings

The problems of judicial expertise in criminal proceedings Abstract The diploma thesis focuses on forensic expertise and the current state of the subjects performing expert activities in the Czech Republic. Its aim is to prove empirically that the number of experts is insufficient. The thesis also focuses on possible problems that may arise in connection with the absence of experts, expert offices and expert institutes not only in practice but also in the court proceedings themselves. In order to comprehensively identify the state of expert subjects, the thesis uses analytical, normative and empirical approaches of scientific research using mainly static methods and qualitative interviews. The outflow of forensic experts is a long-term phenomenon. The current number of experts is the lowest in the last 20 years. At the same time, the list of experts includes fields and sectors in which no expert is registered. Their absence is reflected, for example, in the need for more frequent use of ad hoc experts, which can be problematic. It has a negative impact on the right to a fair trial, in particular on the so-called 'equality of arms', as only public authorities can bring in persons performing one-off expert activities. There is also a problem of undermining the professionalisation of expertise, as ad hoc..