Research materials and methods

This study is based on an analysis of the norms of the criminal procedural legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a number of foreign states that regulate the procedure for conducting remote investigative actions, as well as scientific publications on the research topic in the field of psychology and medicine. Interdisciplinary and integrated approaches were used in this study involving general and particular methods of learning about objective reality: the scientific literature was studied; a social experiment was conducted. An experimental remote investigative action was carried out with the involvement of PWDs, characterised by different clinical diagnoses, in order to identify the degree of perception of non-verbal information (its receipt / processing / level of perception / actions in a conflict situation / the behaviour influenced by a number of confounding factors: quality of communication, sound, failures in the system). An integrated approach involves considering the studied phenomena of communication during an investigative action as a set of interconnected and interdependent elements, i.e., consideration of the issue from the medical, psychological and legal points of view. Situational and systemic types of analysis, complex sociological analysis, diagnostics and forecasting investigative situation were also used. Methods of analysis and synthesis, induction, deduction, methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis were employed to clarify the legal essence of the studied phenomenon. Analysis, synthesis, generalisation and comparison were used in obtaining theoretical conclusions and recommendations related to the problem of conducting remote investigative actions involving disabled persons. In addition, within the framework of this research, the following methods were used: modelling - experimental action, online interrogation of persons with disabilities; the comparative legal method covered the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other countries abroad, near and far.

This article discusses the aspects of the performance of the remote interrogation of people with disabilities. The individual characteristics that are inherent to PWDs should be fully taken into account during investigative action using scientific and technical means of fixation. Based on the study of remote interrogation, the authors came to the conclusion that the indicated investigative action must be construed on the basis of psychological characteristics, as well as available medical indicators of the health of people with disabilities.

Review and analysis of the problem

There are frequent cases when persons with disabilities become victims or eyewitnesses of criminal offenses. The legislator, taking into account all circumstances related to the disruption of the normal functioning of the citizens’ life, determined the procedure for conducting investigative actions involving PWDs in criminal procedure legislation. The characteristics concerning the interrogation of PWDs are determined by the peculiarities of psychology, due to the fact that PWDs have certain limited resources.

The scientific literature indicates that a person with disabilities is characterised as a person with certain limitations associated with physical, mental or other disorders. This circumstance indicates that people with disabilities require special living conditions.

Currently, international legal acts enshrining the rights of disabled persons include: the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (DRDP), 1975), the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (WPACDP), 1982), the Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (The Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities (SREP), 1993), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Convention on the Rights of Persons (CRP), 2006). The Declaration contains a rule stipulating that when the confining of a disabled person in a special institution is necessary, then the environment and living conditions in it should correspond as closely as possible to the environment and conditions of the normal life of persons of his or her age. At the same time, the Declaration enshrines that PWDs should be able to use qualified legal assistance to protect their persons and property as well as have effective access to justice, procedural and age- appropriate adjustments that facilitate their effective role as direct and indirect participants, including as witnesses, in all legal proceedings, involving the investigation stage and other pre-trial stages.

In domestic and foreign scientific literature, a significant number of scientists - proceduralists and forensic experts have addressed the problem of interrogation tactics and confrontation with the participation of PWDs. It is necessary to highlight the works of researchers such as V.A. Vasiliev, G.G. Dospulov and others. At the same time, we note an urgent need for scientific and methodological coverage of the problems regarding interrogation tactics and confrontation of persons with disabilities in a remote format.

The experience of countries such as the USA, Singapore, Finland, and Korea has shown that it is typical for pre-trial investigation agencies in their daily activities to use audio and video recordings of witness’ testimonies located in a remote location. The experience of a number of countries studied through desk analysis and foreign practice showed that there are no strict legal restrictions on the legitimacy of electronic materials. For the designated countries, the main criterion is the sufficient technical level of the means used, as well as “digital equality” and the “digital comfort” of the participants. In the Republic of Belarus, videoconferencing is used during interrogation, confrontation, and identification (Article 224.1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Belarus) (CPC of the Republic of Belarus, 1999). The provision of Estonian criminal legislation regarding interrogation by telephone is very interesting.

Science does not stand still, there is widespread use of information technology. Foreign researchers are studying the issues of multimedia investigations, digital forensics using blockchain (^{Khan, et al., 2023}).

The legislator of the Republic of Kazakhstan, taking into account all circumstances related to the disruption of the normal functioning of the citizens’ life, determined the procedure and conditions for conducting investigative actions involving PWDs in criminal procedure legislation. Thus, prior to the interrogation of PWDs, who have physical disabilities associated with deafness and dumbness, the person conducting the pre- trial investigation must ensure the participation of a specialist with sign language interpretation skills.

There are the following categories of PWDs:

Mental retardation can develop against the background of mental illness (schizophrenia, which is characterised by significant impairments in the perception of reality, mental disorders, attention, memory and behavioural changes; epilepsy, etc.), as well as hereditary metabolic disorders (^{WHO, 2019}).

PWDs as participants in the criminal process may have features related not only to their state of health. Some of them have limited or completely obliterated socially useful connections and skills. This can lead to their complete or partial social maladjustment in society. It is necessary to correctly understand and adequately assess various kinds of citizens’ mental deficiencies (defects in the intellect, emotional and volitional spheres, problems with thinking and the correct perception of objective reality), which are connected with permanent or temporary painful disorders of mental activity, which in some cases simply limit their rights for personal protection.

For the purpose of communication, PWDs use a “specific” language - sign language. Sign language is an independent language that consists of a set of gestures. The gesture is made by hands in combination with facial expressions or movement of the mouth and lips. A common sign language is used to communicate with these persons. Deaf-mutes cannot hear the investigator during investigative actions. It is known that night time has a certain effect on the senses. Thus, interrogation of PWDs should in all cases be carried out during daylight hours.

Taking into account the physical condition of PWDs, the investigator can question him or her at the place of work, place of residence or at the scene of the incident. At the same time, the role of an interpreter participating in the interrogation of the deaf, dumb and deaf-mute is very important.

The accused person of the specified category reproduces information about the circumstances of the crime, which resides in his or her memory, as testimony with the use of various gestures and certain signs that have been formed over the years under the influence of various social factors. Expressing their attitude to the prosecution, during interrogation PWDs use their entire stock of facial expressions and gestures. Therefore, interpreters, on the one hand, translate the investigator’s speech into gesture-mimic or dactyl speech and, conversely, the facial expressions, gestures or dactyl signs of deaf-mutes - into ordinary colloquial speech.

Interrogation of the deaf and dumb is impossible without the participation of interpreters, who help investigators not only to perform an investigative action, but also establish psychological contact with the interrogated person. It is necessary that during the interrogation, the interrogated person understands and communicates freely with the investigator.

In the case of interrogation of a person with hearing impairment, the investigator during RIA should resort to the use of tactics, such as a visual demonstration, providing photographs and documents for display. In other words, it is rational for these persons to provide material sources that contribute to the process of perception and recollection of the case, and remembering individual events-by means of remote interrogation, the provision of physical evidence, documents, etc. (Figure 1)

Figure 1 Demonstrates the stylus, the investigator’s computer during the production of RIA 

It should be noted that the conditions and procedure for the remote interrogation of PWDs have a number of differences from classic interrogation. The Criminal Procedure Code, unfortunately, does not reflect the methods of conducting the remote interrogation of seriously ill patients, PWDs. We believe that interrogation with the use of scientific and technical means of fixation will facilitate the process of movement and the burden placed on PWDs. It seems possible to conduct a remote interrogation of said person at his or her current location at home or in a medical institution. This legislative innovation will take into account the individual characteristics of PWDs.

Currently, the PWDs having disorders of the musculoskeletal system often experience a number of difficulties (entrance to administrative buildings, check-ins, etc.) in arriving at the pre-trial investigation body for testifying. According to building codes and regulations, a ramp (lifting platform) and lifting mechanism for the movement of people with limited mobility in a wheelchair are provided (figure 2). However, the indicated inclined platforms were not installed everywhere, serving to enter the front door, intended to replace the stairs, or platforms are established in violation of the rules for their installation. (Figure 2)

Figure 2 A ramp designed to lift PWDs into institutions 

Persons with physical or mental disabilities are characterised by increased excitability. When conducting investigative actions, the investigator needs to establish psychological contact with the interrogated person, which requires knowledge of special psychological rules and tactics. The climate, the condition surrounding investigative events, and the effectiveness depend on correct application of techniques for “investigative” communication. The communication of the investigator with the PWDs and their legal representatives - relevant specialists during the investigative actions - should be considered as an obligatory element of the investigative activity.

The interrogation of PWDs being сonducted in online format, ethically, creates conditions that allow PWDs to avoid visiting police stations (excluding a criminogenic environment), which creates a favourable interrogation environment. This is a type of ethical measure that supports the condition of persons with disabilities.

Thus, remote interrogation is a complex interaction not only of one investigator with the person being questioned, but also due to the participation of specialised medical consultants and the investigator who is executing the order of the legal representatives. It should be noted that the psychological characteristics of PWDs are little known to law enforcement officers. Therefore, the development of the psychological basis of interrogation, in particular the remote interrogation of PWDs, is conditioned by practical necessity.

Emphasis should be placed on the unique psychological and communication needs of persons with disabilities. This requires training of employees through (scientific and methodological support) the development of educational programmes for acquiring relevant knowledge and mastering practical competencies needed to assess the psychophysical development and abilities of this category of persons. For example, participation in training seminars involving medical workers, specialised consultants, psychologists, IT specialists; conducting classes at academies involved in personnel training; completion of enhanced training courses for investigators conducting pre-trial investigations. Such interdisciplinary cooperation creates the preconditions of a global perspective for the wider use of online technologies, understanding the psychophysical state of persons with disabilities, which in turn will improve the quality of obtaining testimony in a criminal case. Interdisciplinary collaboration could encourage greater insight into how different sectors can work together effectively to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities.

Interrogation being the main form of obtaining evidence in the criminal case investigation is also a special form of interpersonal relations. In these relations the totality of connections between people studied by cognitive (from Latin cognitio - knowledge) psychology is of great importance. The concept “cognitive distortion” is distinguished and understood as the allowable systematic errors in thinking or patterned deviations that arise on the basis of dysfunctional beliefs embedded in cognitive patterns detected when analysing automatic thoughts (^{Aleksandrov,2002}).

People with impaired vision especially need help to carry out life processes. “During legal proceedings many of them are in need of assistance. Bidirectional translation is required, when using the special software, an ordinary font is translated into Braille and vice versa” (^{WHO, 2022}) Ensuring the rights of participants with disabilities, 2021).

The criminal procedural legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan does not contain special exceptions for PWDs and only part 3, paragraph 1 of - Article 67 of the Criminal Procedural Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan determines the mandatory participation of a defense lawyer if the suspect, due to physical or mental disabilities, cannot independently exercise his right to a judicial remedy (CPC of the Republic of Kazakhstan). However, state programmes are being implemented throughout the Republic (for example, the programme “Digital Kazakhstan”, which implies the use of digital technologies, the transition to a digital state, and the online services to the population) (Programme “Digital Kazakhstan”, 2017). The recommendations proposed by the authors for improving the process of the interrogation of persons with disabilities are closely implemented with the specified programme. Thus, the development of the digital infrastructure of governmental agencies is being carried out, on the one hand, and convenience and conditions are provided for persons with disabilities through online services, on the other hand.

Deaf-mutes are not able to directly hear the investigator and participants of investigative actions. When interrogating PWDs, it must be taken into account that no one should be at the place of investigation except the officials conducting the interrogation, as well as the defense counsel and interpreter. During interrogation of the blind and visually impaired, it is necessary to exclude extraneous sounds that interfere with the investigation and decrease the effectiveness of mental activity, the process of remembering what happened. These factors “destroy the psychological readiness of the interrogated person to give truthful and complete testimony” (^{Vasiliev, 1967}). Therefore, the interrogation of the deaf and dumb is impossible without the involvement of an interpreter, that not only helps the investigator conduct an investigation, but also establishes psychological contact with the interrogated person.

Some authors have conducted research on the issue of expanding the capacity of using remote technologies aimed at obtaining procedural and economic evidence in support of the performance of investigative actions in an electronic environment. These authors consider that a remote format is possible for conducting not only interrogations, but also for presentation for identification and examination (Martynov et al., 2017). Research confirms that during investigative actions such as interrogations, confrontations, examinations, identification parades involving PWDs, the possibilities of videoconferencing make it possible to objectively and reliably record information, provide a guarantee of reliability and the possibility of illustrative confirmation of the research results.

Additional Information

Funding source. This article was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contribution. All authors made a substantial contribution to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work, drafting and revising the work, final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. A. Badanova - concept and design of work, collection and processing of material, writing the text of the manuscript, scientific editing of the manuscript, consideration and approval of the final version of the manuscript; Y. Begaliyev - concept and design of work, collection and processing of material, writing the text of the manuscript, scientific editing of the manuscript; Z. Kurmangali - scientific editing of the manuscript, consideration and approval of the final version of the manuscript; V. Lyssenko - collection and processing of material, writing the text of the manuscript; Z. Ayupova - collection and processing of material, scientific editing of the manuscript.¹