Fiches Belges

Examination of expert is an investigatory operation, which is executed by one or several experts under the assignment of a person directing criminal proceedings for the purpose of examining objects presented for the expert-examination in order to clarify facts and circumstances significant in the criminal proceedings. A person directing the proceedings may invite, and assign with a decision, a person to perform an expert-examination who is not an expert of an expert-examination institution, but whose knowledge and practical experience is sufficient for the performance of the expert-examination.

Section 193 of the Criminal Procedure Law

the Ministry of Interior (*) - during pre-trial investigation until prosecution ; Ciekurkalna 1st line 1, k-2 Riga, LV-1026 Latvia Phone: +371 67219263 Fax: +371 67829686 E-mail: kanceleja@iem.gov.lv Website : www.iem.gov.lv General Prosecutors office - during pre-trial investigation until submitting the case to the court; O. Kalpaka blvd 6, Riga, LV - 1801, Latvia Fax: 371.67.212231 Tel.: 371.67.320085 The Ministry of Justice - during the trial. Brivibas blvd 36, Riga, LV - 1536, Latvia Fax: 371.67.285575 Tel.: 371.67.280437/371.67.282607

Latvian/English (for the execution of urgent request/decision the priority is the Latvian language)

For MLA according 1959 Convention: Section 848 of Criminal Procedure Law - Deciding of a Request of a Foreign State (1) A request of a foreign state regarding the provision of assistance in the performance of a procedural action shall be decided immediately, but not later than within 10 days after receipt thereof. If additional information is necessary for deciding of a request, such information shall be requested from the state that submitted the request. For EIO: (1) A competent authority of Latvia shall take a decision to recognise and execute a European Investigation Order as soon as possible, however not later than within 30 days after receipt of the European Investigation Order. Where translation of the documents is required, the decision shall be taken as soon as possible, however not later than within 30 days from the day of receipt of the translation.

In order to ensure a court psychiatric or psychological expert-examination of a detained person, suspect, or accused, or the conducting of an expert-examination related to an examination of his or her body, compulsory measures may be used, if necessary.