New guide set with Sweden’s support explains investigation of pollution, poaching and illegal logging

Prosecutors and criminal investigation officers will be able to use a guide containing practical recommendations for investigating environmental crimes, establishing the liability of those involved and recovering the damage caused. The draft document was presented and discussed on October 28 in Chisinau, during a roundtable attended by representatives of institutions in the fields of justice and environmental protection.

The guide was developed by the Institute for Penal Reform in collaboration with EcoContact and provides recommendations for documenting facts, collecting evidence and applying legal provisions in cases involving violations of environmental legislation.


“Investigating these crimes involves establishing the link between the actions of the persons concerned and the damage caused to the environment. According to the authors, the specific nature of these cases also relates to the way pollutants disperse and the period during which their effects on the environment become apparent. For this reason, the prompt collection and proper preservation of evidence, as well as the performance of specialized analyses, are essential for documenting the facts and identifying those responsible,” EcoContact explains.


The document addresses the investigation of cases involving pollution, illegal waste management, illegal logging, poaching and the illegal exploitation of natural resources. The recommendations concern the examination of complaints, crime scene investigations, sample collection, the use of expert assessments and the questioning of persons involved.

A separate chapter focuses on distinguishing environmental crimes from administrative offenses. The guide provides clarification on assessing facts based on the extent of the damage, the consequences produced and the legal obligations that were violated. These aspects are analyzed with reference to criminal legislation, environmental regulations, authorization requirements and the technical standards applicable to the activities under investigation.

The publication also includes recommendations on recovering environmental damage and identifying income and assets derived from crimes for the purpose of confiscation. In this process, financial investigations play an important role, as they can help identify illegally obtained assets and income, as well as their beneficiaries, the cited source indicates.

The roundtable organized by EcoContact and the Institute for Penal Reform brought together representatives of institutions responsible for identifying and investigating environmental violations. Participants discussed the draft and had the opportunity to submit proposals for improving the document before its finalization.

The guide is being developed as part of the project Green Justice for a Protected Environment and Sustainable Communities in the Republic of Moldova, implemented by EcoContact with the support of Sweden.