In this article, the author examines the problem of the adversarial nature of special knowledge in the Russian criminal process. The assessment of the types of expertise identified in the theory of criminal procedure is given. The author evaluates the type of expertise typical for the Russian criminal process, as well as the legislator's attempt to find a compromise between the continental expertise, traditional for the Russian criminal process, and the Anglo-Saxon models of expertise. The author formulates a thesis on the implementation by the legislator of the adversarial examination of the Anglo-Saxon type in the criminal process of the Russian Federation, by introducing into the process such type of evidence as the conclusion and testimony of a specialist