Implementing period: January 2021 - October 2023
Budget: US$664,812
The project improved the capacities of the Police Directorate of Montenegro in the entire investigative cycle and in particular to advance the custody chain. This resulted in improved investigation of crimes committed with explosives that will further contribute to achieving regular convictions. Specifically, the project raised the expert competencies, professionalism, accuracy, and preciseness of the Forensic Centre, the Arson and Explosives Laboratory and the Chemical Laboratory by supporting the development of standard operating procedures, providing specialized equipment for the crime scene investigation units, and training.
The project was developed in the context in which in the period 2016-2020 there were 12 dead and 6 injured in incidents of installing, activating and transporting improvised explosive devices related to the criminal offences/clashes between criminal groups in Montenegro. 11 incidents had been prevented since the improvised explosive devices were discovered by the police. In 2018/2019, the Forensic Centre, Department for Arson and Explosives Laboratory had 150 requests for analysis, while the Department for Chemistry has 108 requests for analysis regarding explosives with 1,794 samples from the Police/Prosecutors office. In the period 2018/2019, the following quantities of explosives were confiscated by the police: TNT – 62,49 kg, Hexogen – 5,26 kg, Plastic explosive 8,44 kg, Detonator capsules 51pcs, Electric detonator capsules 210pcs, Slow-burning rod 294.93m, Detonating rod 151.44m, Hand bombs 49 pcs etc. The project considered that it was crucial for evidence to be handled and analyzed with precaution and respecting all necessary safety measures to ensure the safety of the laboratories’ employees and the neighborhood.
Overall achievements:
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The operational framework for the Crime Scene Investigation teams has been upgraded in line with the international standard ISO 17020:
- Four SOPs were developed or revised: [newly developed] 1) Basic SOP for CSI, packaging and tagging of evidence, and chain of custody, [revised] 2) SOP for the treatment of improvised explosive devices by crime scene officers; 3) SOP for forensic search of vehicles regarding explosives; 4) SOP for securing, packaging, and further handling of explosive substances and post blast traces intended for chemical laboratory analysis.
- The Forensic Center was equipped with specialized equipment for CSI, encompassing a 3D scanner and PC, a quadcopter, video boroscopes, post-blast crime scene investigation kits, an evidence vacuum sweeper, tamper-evident sealing tapes, 1000 packages for handling explosives.
- Training on the new SOPs and specialized equipment was provided to enhance the work in line with the ISO 17020 standard, encompassing: i) 41 CSI professionals (one woman and 40 men) from all of the CSI centers were trained on SOPs as well as on the use of 3D scanners; ii) 14 CSI and local Security Centers’ professionals (one woman and 13 men) were trained on CSI applicable to Gender Based Violence cases; iii) 6 professionals (one woman, five men), were trained on the use of the 3D scanner; and on the use of the software for documenting the scene of the explosion, the use of firearms, and the morphological analysis of blood traces; and v) 8 CSI professionals (seven men and one woman) were trained on using the provided quadcopter, on the issue of the forensic application of aerial photography in CSI and processing the recorded material.
- Overall, using 3D scanners and drones has revolutionized the crime scene investigation process in the country. The technological advancement enhances the precision and efficiency of forensic work and brings an innovative dimension to criminal investigations in Montenegro.
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The capacity of the Arson and Explosives Laboratory (AEL) has been increased in line with the international standard ISO 17025:
- Seven SOPs of the AEL were revised: 1) SOP for the reception, protection, and dispatch of explosive and post blast traces; 2) SOP for the handling, reviewing, sampling, and measuring of explosive and post blast traces; 3) SOP for the reviewing of pyrotechnic devices; 4) SOP for the reviewing of improvised explosive devices; 5) SOP for the reviewing of conventional explosive devices; 6) SOP for examining the correctness of the fuse regarding spark transfer and burning velocity; 7) SOP for examining the correctness of the electric detonator.
- The AEL was equipped with a container for storing explosive material, a device for measuring the speed of explosive detonation, lab scales, anti-static clothes, an anti-static surface, an anti-contamination rug, a digital device for measuring voltage, a stopwatch for measuring time, and a chamber for examining the validity of explosives, an ommeter, and a rheostat.
- Seven AEL staff were trained (one woman and six men) on ISO standards (ISO/IEC 17025:2017). Two AEL staff (men) passed end-user training for operating the instrument for measuring the detonation velocity VOD 815. Additional staff were trained on the use of the received equipment that feeds into the revised SOPs.
- An AEL method was prepared for accreditation in line with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017. All accreditation documents were finalized, validation was conducted, and an action plan was prepared for the accreditation. With this, the project completed the envisaged support towards the AEL method accreditation, pending official accreditation by the Montenegrin Accreditation Body (ATCG).
- In addition, with the equipment acquired, the Forensic Center was able to move the analysis of explosive materials to a dedicated and secure location instead of conducting it within their premises. This has significantly improved the safety of the staff and ensured compliance with the highest standards for handling, analyzing, and storing explosive materials and substances.
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The capacity of the Increased capacities of the Chemical Laboratory has been increased in line with the international standard ISO 17025:
- Four SOPs for the Chemical Lab were developed: i) for the sampling and analysis of explosives; ii) for analysis of traces of explosive substances in the chemical laboratory; iii) for analysis of substances by the LC-MS/MS method; and iv) for putting into operation the LC-MS/MS device.
- The Chemical Lab was equipped with specialized equipment, including a liquid chromatograph with mass spectrometer (LC-MS-MS), a microcentrifuge with angular rotor, a thermo-shaker with thermos blocks, a combined refrigerator-freezer and upright freezer, a laminar flow cabinet, an orbital shaker, and an ultra-pure water system.
- Six (five women, one man) Chemical Lab staff were trained on the general use of the liquid chromatograph with mass spectrometer (LC-MS-MS), and four (three women, one man) were trained on the method for the LC-MS/MS device and on measuring uncertainty calculations in LC-MS/MS quantitative analysis of TNT.
- Work process and documentation have been prepared and validated for official accreditation by the Montenegrin Accreditation Body (ATCG) in 2024.
Read the success story.
The project contributed to Roadmap Goals 1 and 3 and key performance indicators 3, 9, 14 of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans.
