Implementing period: January 2021 - November 2023
Budget: US$1,429,520
The aim of the project was to further improve the capacities of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of the Republic of Serbia in the entire investigative cycle as related to the trafficking of firearms and firearms criminality, from crime scene and ballistic examination, through the whole custody chain, in order to improve investigations leading to regular convictions. The project complemented the results of its previous phase, implemented by UNDP Serbia through the Funding Windows regional project on SALW control, and it offered solid foundation for further consolidation of results through its subsequent phase within the MPTF.
The project focused on the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) units throughout Serbia and their way towards the accreditation path. This phase of the project further built the capacities of ballistic laboratories in Serbia resulting in the accreditation of the ballistic laboratory in Belgrade, at the central level. In addition to the firearms examinations, focus was placed on investigations of arson and explosion accidents, through specialized forensic trainings and full implementation of SOPs based on ENFSI best practice manuals, as well as improved equipment. Another important goal of the project was the upgrade the SALW-control registry system, including through new equipment and training of the police officers in this field.
Overall achievements:
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The project increased capacities of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) units in line with international standards, ISO 17020.
- The evidence recovery database for CSI Unit, i.e. the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), was fully developed, with provided software, hardware and server components (printer, scanner, bar code reader, barcode printer) as well as related training for police staff.
- The CSI units were also provided with specialized equipment, encompassing a device for fingerprints recovery on discharged cartridge cases, and 27 sets of IT equipment (desktop computer, printer, scanner, bar code reader, barcode printer) for the CSI evidence recovery database users.
- Advanced training curricula was developed in accordance with ISO 17020 standard, and training was delivered for 27 central and regional level CSI units. 92 forensic technicians (9 women and 81 men) were trained on CSI methods in line with the ISO 17020.
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The capacities of the National Forensic Center’s ballistic sector were comprehensively advanced according to ISO 17025 standard.
- Building upon a needs assessment and expert recommendations from the UK’s National Ballistics Intelligence Service, the project provided comprehensive technical, expert and mentoring support for the accreditation of the central ballistic laboratory according to ISO 17025 standard, as well as support to the ballistic experts from regional ballistic labs.
- Following the development in 2021 of an action plan for the accreditation, the project supported related processes and application. It provided a set of training courses for the ballistic staff in accordance with ISO 17025, including the i) awareness-raising training and internal audit training for 12 ballistic experts (1 woman, 11 men); ii) training on the application for the ISO 17025 standard and on the accreditation action plan for 10 ballistic experts (1 woman, 9 men), and iii) an advanced training for 9 experts (one woman and 8 men) from 3 regional ballistic laboratories. In addition, a collaborative ballistic testing was organized for ballistic experts with their peers from an accredited ballistic lab in Skopje, as required for the accreditation.
- The NFC’s central ballistic laboratory was equipped with a comparative high-range microscope for ballistic examination, a metal evidence storage cabinet with 9 compartments; a ballistic chronograph (indoor and outdoor use); a laser engraving machine; a vacuum cleaner; wooden boxes; a laboratory bottle for gun powder; a bullet trap for rifle bullets; a bullet trap for pistol bullets; an air gun pellet catcher; a gas ammunition firing chamber; a mobile protective shield for the shooter. The NFC’s chemical and toxicological laboratory was equipped with a GSR ashing device and some spare parts for the GSR-related equipment. Additional small-scale ballistic equipment was provided in line with accreditation requirements.
- The National Forensic Center’s shooting range was adapted and equipped according to the ENFSI standards. Subsequently, the project analysis for the shooting range and water tank for test firing for safety usage in line with new SALW regulations was developed and approved by the NFC.
- Furthermore, the Open Case File (OCF) for ballistic examinations was prepared in line with necessary standards and SOPs, with 8 ballistic experts (all men) trained on the subject matter.
- The operational framework was upgraded with the development and adoption of two SOPs, on i) using the ABIS systems (Arsenal, Evofinder, and Traffic) in operating the open case file and the illegal firearms database, as well as on ii) ammunition delaboration.
- A professional peer-exchange with German counterparts was supported, including a study visit to Wiesbaden for 2 ballistic experts (men) in 2022, and an expert visit and GSR specialized training in Wiesbaden for 3 NFC experts (1 woman and 2 men) in 2023.
- Finally, the Central Ballistic Laboratory in Belgrade was accredited by the Accreditation Body of Serbia according to ISO 17025 standard, for the method of comparative analysis of the identification of the cartridge cases.
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The project increased investigative capacities of the NFC’s Arson/Explosion/Accident (AEA) unit:
- A guiding document was developed on the application of the ISO 17020 standard for the AEA unit. Based on the needs assessment in the area of AEA, the project prepared training curricula for awareness raising according to ISO 17020 standard and identified needs for the necessary equipment for the AEA Unit.
- An awareness raising training session was implemented, enhancing the knowledge of 15 AEA experts (5 women and 10 men) about the ISO 17020 standard and how to prepare for the accreditation of the explosion investigation method in line with ISO 17020. An advanced training followed for 5 AEA experts (1 woman and 4 men), tackling the explosive investigation and post-blast courses.
- A SOP was developed and approved by NFC on the performance of forensic investigators at the arson/explosion scenes, coupled with a related one-day training for AEA unit staff.
- In line with the identified needs, the AEA Unit was equipped with specialised equipment encompassing an endoscope, a quadcopter with a built-in camera, mobile devices (tablet and phones), a thermo-vision camera, handheld flashlights, a benchtop 3D scanner and printer, a set of toolkits.
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Five post-blast training sessions were implemented, enhancing the skills and knowledge on the subject-matter of 132 forensic technicians (15 women and 117 men).
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The SALW-control registry system was upgraded, enhancing the administration of the SALW-control system in the Ministry of Interior and General Police Directorate of the Republic of Serbia.
- Based on an analysis of the IT infrastructure and technical specifications, the project provided to the MoI’s Administrative Directorate and the General Police Directorate the necessary software, hardware and servers for the proper functionality of the SALW-control registry system. This entailed the upgrade of the SALW control registry system database, and the provision of 130 IT sets (computers, monitors, scanners, and printers) for the users of the SALW-control registry system.
- In addition, specialized safety equipment was delivered to the users of the SALW-control registry system in the Police Administrative Directorate, including 36 bullet traps for safe firing and 14 metal lockers.
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Five training sessions for users of SALW-control browser/system and high-level police officers were delivered, enhancing the capacities and understanding of 210 participants (146 women and 64 men) on the SALW-control and the upgraded system.
The project contributed to Roadmap Goals 1, 2, 3, 5 and key performance indicators 3, 4, 5, 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.