A General System of Basic Principles for Classification of Forensic Examination Methodologies

The paper summarizes the problem of classification of forensic examination methodologies and outlines its basic principles. It argues that a viable system of forensic examination methodologies cannot be informed by the discipline-based and/or method-based principles alone, and neither by that of specialization and integration of expert knowledge. It is shown that forensic examination methodologies should be classified not as systems of knowledge, but as types (systems) of activity based in particular systems of knowledge.