Scientific Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs

The purpose, the author of the article, was to analyze the historical, theoretical and regulatory aspects that form the concept, essence and meaning of inquiry as a simplified form of pre-trial investigation. The attention is focused on the previously studied aspects of the relevant topic, attention is focused on the importance of the relevant institution in the functioning of the mechanism for the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms in Ukraine. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that the article substantiates the importance of the functioning of the institute of inquiry, on the basis of statistical data illuminated by the state authorities, it is recorded that the relevant institute fulfills its main task – unloading investigative units, as well as ensuring the restoration of violated human and civil rights and freedoms. The significant developments of foreign researchers of the world's law enforcement systems, as well as the field of criminology, are involved, which interconnect the effectiveness of the functioning of state institutions with the mechanism for protecting human rights and freedoms. It was found that the lack of organizational and administrative interdepartmental normative legal acts to simplify an even larger volume of procedures in the pre-trial investigation of criminal offenses, as well as to improve existing forms of interaction, is a shortcoming in the functioning of the relevant institution. Conclusions. The historical, theoretical and normative aspects that form the concept, essence and meaning of inquiry as a simplified form of pre-trial investigation are analyzed. Several alternative points of view of scientists are investigated, they interpret the main categories, reasonably their own, the author's position regarding the definition of the concept of inquiry, which is characterized as the procedure for actions of a specific authorized subject. The essence of inquiry as a form of preliminary investigation and an organizational and analytical process is argued. The proposed positions of researchers regarding the substantiation of the importance of the relevant institution in the functioning of the state in general and the system of criminal procedure in particular are also consolidated