ARMED ATTACKS AND MURDERS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (SCHOOL SHOOTING): CRIMINALISTIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Article presents the results of a fundamental study of the phenomenon of armed attacks and murders in educational institutions (school shootings) from the perspective of forensic science and psychology, demonstrating its practical significance in the detection and investigation of these crimes. Based on an analysis of criminal case materials, a comprehensive forensic analysis of armed attacks and murders in educational institutions is described, its specific features are demonstrated, a special structure is substantiated, and individual elements are presented. From the perspective of a situational approach, the criminal activity of the offender is analyzed, its stages are identified, and the forensic and psychological characteristics of school shooters are indicated. It has been proven that when solving armed attacks and murders in educational institutions, and especially when preventing such crimes, the psychological factor of information leakage about a planned crime is of key forensic significance. The research materials analyzed the works of scientists in the field of criminology, criminalistics and forensic psychology, as well as in the field of philosophy and sociology, aimed at studying the problems of countering school shooting. Regulatory legal acts related to responsibility for armed attacks and murders in educational institutions, as well as regulating the procedure for investigating crimes, and other information obtained from open sources were used. The study analyzed the genesis of this phenomenon in Russia, described its forensic characteristics and its individual elements, as well as the features of pre-criminal and criminal situations. It is shown that the forensic and psychological features of armed attacks and murders in educational institutions are inextricably linked. The results of a scientific analysis of the psychological characteristics of those who commit armed attacks on schools are presented, including the mechanisms of the crime and motives, and the stages of criminal planning. The factors that influence the psychological impact of school shooters on their victims are identified.

school shooting, armed attack, murders in educational institutions, situational approach, pre-criminal situation, forensic characteristics, psychological features of school shooting, deviant behavior, youth violence, crime prevention

Kozyreva I. E. Armed attacks and murders in educational institutions (school shooting): criminalistic and psychological aspects. Biznes. Obrazovanie. Pravo = Business. Education. Law. 2025;4(73):230—234. DOI: 10.25683/ VOLBI.2025.73.1451.