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The paper examines the questions of forensic examination of state, departmental and other awards and decorations, including orders, medals and honorary badges. Investigation of such items is usually organized along a comprehensive framework that draws on specialized knowledge from such diverse fields as forensic metal analysis, forensic gemology, historical and cultural analysis, toolmark analysis, and forensic commodity evaluation. Basic methodological provisions are discussed, along with the possibilities of each forensic discipline when applied to the examination of these types of evidence, and required expert qualifications.

The paper looks at the advantages and potential of network-based training of state forensic examiners, and the use of e-learning and distance learning technologies in continuing professional education in forensic science disciplines. The system of professional retraining developed by the RFCFS of the Russian Ministry of Justice is described in terms of how it combines face-to-face and distance learning approaches.

The paper examines the background for the establishment of forensic investigation of intellectual property as a new area of forensic practice in the system of forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice. It defines the subject of investigation, formulates generic forensic objectives and outlines a sample list of questions addressed by the intellectual property expert.

The paper outlines the organizational framework of forensic expert training in the system of forensic science organizations of the Russian Ministry of Justice, developed and implemented by the Educational Methodology Department of the RFCFS of the Russian Ministry of Justice. Problematic organizational and methodological issues of the training process are highlighted, and possible solutions are examined.

The paper presents an overview of the work typically performed at the crime scene by specialists of the Forensic Science Service of the Israel Police. It describes the standard crime scene algorithm and modern methods of shoeprint, fingerprint, and bare footprint detection using the example of a hypothetical generic crime — the murder of a urban apartment owner in the course of a burglary.