Tactics of interrogating a suspect during the investigation of war propaganda

Issue: № 6, 2026

Doi: https://doi.org/10.37634/efp.2026.6.2p

The paper examines the tactics of interrogating a suspect during the pre-trial investigation of war propaganda as one of the most complex types of investigative (search) actions. It has been established that the development of tactical recommendations for interrogating a suspect in this category of criminal offenses is determined by the offender's possession of special knowledge in the fields of psychology, social engineering and computer technologies, the commission of the offense in the digital environment, as well as the existence of conscious organized resistance to the pre-trial investigation on the part of the person being interrogated. The content of the preparatory and working stages of the suspect's interrogation is revealed. The preparatory stage involves collecting and examining information about the person being interrogated, in particular their personal, socio-political and psychological characteristics, analyzing the suspect's activity in the digital environment using OSINT tools, determining the subject matter of the interrogation and the investigative situation that has developed, drawing up a detailed interrogation plan and determining tactical techniques and countermeasures in advance. At the working stage, the investigator and prosecutor encounter either a conflict or a non-conflict interrogation situation, which directly determines the choice of tactical techniques. To overcome a conflict situation, the application of a set of tactical techniques is substantiated, including the sudden presentation of digital evidence, involvement of cybersecurity specialists and explanation of the legal consequences of the position taken. The subject matter of the suspect's interrogation is defined depending on the method of committing war propaganda: public calls, production and distribution of relevant materials, each of which involves a separate list of circumstances to be clarified during the interrogation.

Keywords : forensic tactics, forensic methodics, war propaganda, pre-trial investigation, tactical techniques, psychological influence, interrogation tactics, forensic innovations, special knowledge

References:

1. Shevchuk V.M. et al. Criminalistics. Kharkiv, 2024. 1004 p. (in Ukrainian).

2. Chaplynskyi K.O. Tactics of conducting individual investigative actions: monograph. Dnipropetrovsk, 2006. 308 p. (in Ukrainian).

3. Veselskyi V.K. Conceptual foundations of the tactics of investigative actions. Fighting organized crime and corruption (theory and practice). 2012. No. 2 (28). pp. 151–158. (in Ukrainian).

4. Shevchuk V.M. Criminalistics: traditions, innovations, prospects. Kharkiv, 2020. 1280 p. (in Ukrainian).

5. Chornous Yu.M. Psychological foundations of the implementation of tactical techniques. Legal Psychology. 2020. No. 1 (26). pp. 13–21. URL: https://psychped.navs.edu.ua/index.php/psychped/article/view/1260/1262 (in Ukrainian).

6. Hrechana S.I. Tactical interrogation techniques during pre-trial investigation in court session by investigating judge: forensic and psychological characteristics. Legal Psychology. 2023. Vol. 33, No. 2. pp. 71–78. DOI: 10.33270/03233302.71 (in Ukrainian).

7. Osmolian V.A. Tactical and forensic interrogation techniques as a legal component of obtaining reliable testimony. Scientific works of the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management. Legal Sciences. 2023. No. 3 (66). pp. 10–16. DOI: 10.32689/2522-4603.2023.3.2 (in Ukrainian).

8. Malhina A.S., Horbanov I.M. Tactical features of interrogating suspects in creating a terrorist group or organization. South Ukrainian Law Journal. 2020. No. 4. P. 266–272. DOI: 10.32850/sulj.2020.4.45 (in Ukrainian).

9. Sukhovetskyi O.O., Baranchuk V.V. Features of interrogating a suspect during the investigation of collaborative activities. Juridical Scientific and Electronic Journal. 2024. No. 11. pp. 433–438. DOI: 10.32782/2524-0374/2024-11/100 (in Ukrainian).

10. Bidniak H.S. et al. Forensic tactics. Dnipro, 2025. 252 p. (in Ukrainian).

11. Chaplynska Yu.A. Preparation for interrogation as a necessary condition for quality investigative action. Bulletin of the Academy of Customs Service of Ukraine. Series: Law. 2012. No. 2 (9). pp. 89–95. URL: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/vamsup_2012_2_17 (in Ukrainian).

12. Kopcha V.V., Kopcha N.V. Forensic technique, tactics and methodology. Odesa, 2022. 286 p. (in Ukrainian).

13. Pyrih I.V., Bidniak H.S. Use of special knowledge in pre-trial investigation. Dnipro, 2019. 140 p. (in Ukrainian).

14. Chaplynska Yu.A. Organizational support for interrogation. Law and Society. 2012. No. 4. pp. 189–194. URL: https://pravoisuspilstvo.org.ua/archive/2012/4_2012/42.pdf (in Ukrainian).

15. Lohinova V.V. Classification of investigative situations in the investigation of bodily injuries. Law and Security. 2010. No. 3 (35). pp. 172–178. URL: https://dspace.univd.edu.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/6bcbdcbd-52e1-42a2-9dc7-2b6b9d147237/content (in Ukrainian).

16. Saltevskyi M.V. Criminalistics (in modern presentation). Kyiv, 2006. 588 p. (in Ukrainian).

17. Shevchuk V., Kostenko M., Myshkov Y., Papusha I., Hryshko I. Functional Purpose of Tactical Operations in the Development of Criminalistic Methodics of Crime Investigation. Pakistan Journal of Criminology. 2023. Vol. 15. No. 2. pp. 61–78. URL: https://www.pjcriminology.com/publications/functional-purpose-of-tactical-operations-in-the-development-of-criminalistic-methodics-of-crime-investigation/

18. Korobka O.S. Interrogation in a conflict investigative situation. Juridical Scientific and Electronic Journal. 2020. No. 2. pp. 382–385. DOI: 10.32782/2524-0374/2020-2/99 (in Ukrainian).

19. Seliuchenko V.R., Chornyi H.O. Tactical methods of psychological influence on a person during interrogation. Juridical Scientific and Electronic Journal. 2024. No. 11. pp. 471–474. DOI: 10.32782/2524-0374/2024-11/109 (in Ukrainian).

20. Klymchuk M.P., Furman Ya.V. Tactical features of interrogating suspects – members of organized criminal groups. Juridical Scientific and Electronic Journal. 2017. No. 1. pp. 174–177. (in Ukrainian).

22. Kikinchuk V.V., Buhaichuk K.L., Maliarova V.O., Matiushkova T.P. Procedural order and tactical features of investigative actions: scientific and methodological recommendations. Kharkiv, 2018. 101 p. URL: https://dspace.univd.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3308 (in Ukrainian).

22. Shepytko V.Yu. Interrogation of the victim: tactical and psychological approach of the investigation. Issues of combating crime. 2008. Vol. 15. pp. 256–265. (in Ukrainian).

Download paper