Bulletin of the Kaliningrad branch of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia . Issue No2(32), 2013. - C. 103-107. The article analyzes the problems that affected the theory and practice of criminal proceedings in connection with the inclusion in the legislation of testimony and conclusions of a specialist as sources of evidence. Particular attention is paid to the interrogation of a specialist and the involvement of a specialist in the work of a defense lawyer . Suggestions are made to improve criminal procedure legislation. Keywords: status of a specialist, testimony of a specialist, interrogation of a specialist, involvement of a specialist by a defense attorney .