Abstract
The relevance of this study is driven by the necessity of effectively protecting Ukraine’s state border, which remains critical even in complex security conditions. The investigation of crime detection methods, particularly covert investigative (search) actions, allows for the improvement of procedural algorithms, the strengthening of interagency cooperation and the enhancement of national security measures. The objective of this study is to analyze methods for investigating illegal migration crimes, assess the role of covert investigative (search) actions in these processes, and develop solutions to optimize efforts in combating illegal border crossings. The study employs the following methods: a two-iteration anonymized survey; mathematical modeling in relative units based on the parameters “Operational Efficiency” and “Legitimacy”; and step-by-step chronometric analysis. The study identifies the role of covert investigative (search) actions in the investigation of illegal border crossing crimes, highlights procedural challenges in this type of proceeding, and develops a specialized system for evaluating the efficiency of investigative algorithms. Additionally, it proposes optimization solutions that have been positively evaluated by experts. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the first-ever application of procedural process modeling for organizing effective investigations of illegal cross-border migration crimes. Future studies should prioritize the empirical validation of the proposed optimization mechanisms by measuring their practical impact on investigative efficiency and the prevention of crossborder migration-related crimes, while also accounting for the logistical constraints and environmental challenges inherent in remote border regions to ensure realistic and context-sensitive assessments.
Keywords: Border Violation, Cross-Border Migration, Investigative Actions, Operational Efficiency, Search Actions, State Border.