Support Albania’s Law Enforcement Authorities to strengthen Firearms Criminality Evidence Management and Investigation Capacities (UNDP Albania)

Duration

December 2019 - December 2022

Beneficiary/ies

Albanian State Police, Albanian Institute of Scientific Police (AISP)

Donor/s

German Federal Foreign office (Funding Windows)

Funding Amount

USD 1,185,471

Funding gaps (if any)

N/A

Objective/s

The objective of the Project is to enhance the capabilities of the Albanian Institute of Scientific Police (AISP). This will be attained by reviewing the criminal investigation procedural framework, empowering the CSI staff, and enhancing and modernizing the technological infrastructure of the Albanian Ballistic Sector.

Contributing to the Roadmap goal/s

Contributing to the Roadmap overall targets

Goal 1:

• Ensure standardization of procedures and practices in the area of arms control and FAE investigations.

Goal 2:

• Standardize and institutionalize data collection on firearms, by gender and age, regarding legal and illegal SALW/firearms interdictions, armed violence incidents, ballistic evidence, and other firearms related data resulting in periodic regional FAE
• Increase national analytical capacities and institutionalize firearms data analysis.

Key activities implemented up to date

• Activity 1.1.1: Develop Standard Operating Procedures for Key Processes

• The process of reviewing and amending/drafting the necessary SOPs governing the activity of the AISP was concluded with the support of the international expert. The expert drafted the SOP for the OCF for ballistic examination, the chain of custody of evidence, crime scene investigation, and tagging and packaging of evidence and amended the other SOPs relating to ballistic examination, biological examination and DNA and evidence administration.
• 80 staff members of CSI units from across Albania and AISP ballistics personnel trained on the use of new SOPs.
• Activity 1.1.2: Procure Equipment for CSI units.

• 16 sets of IT equipment, (including computer, printer, scanner, barcode printer and barcode reader), 16 Basic CSI Kits, 16 Specialized CSI Kits, Three 3d Scanners for the crime scene, including training, 12 Metal shelves, 3 IT equipment sets (computer, printer, barcode reader, barcode printer), 2 Workbenches for ballistic examination with the respective tools, 1 Electronic or laser marker, for marking ballistic material evidence, 5 Earplugs and protective goggles, for use during polygon shooting, 5 Scaling sets (meters), to take photos of evidence, 1 Storage for the LIMS system, 1 Licensed firewall software enabling online work of tablets for LIMS, 8 Specialized CSI Kits, 1 UPS 20 Kva, 5 Laser distance measuring, Office furniture.

• Activity 2.2.1: Procure and Install Equipment for Ballistic Analysis

• Ballistic Water Tank, including training, Thermal Cycler PCR Reader Machine.

• Activity 1.1.2: Procure Equipment for CSI units

• 5 set of additional IT equipment, Thermal vision camera, Bone Grinder for DNA extraction, Chronograph to measure the velocity of projectiles, Ultrasonic cleaner for bullets, Gun vise for capturing metal materials, Electronic calibers for measuring bullets, Electronic weight scale, 1 Polygon test firing, 1 Video spectral comparator, 1 Scanner falsified documents,1 Microscope, 6 Toolkits for CSI, 1 Video projector, 2 Weapons racks, 1 Ammo racks, 5 Storage racks, 15 Desktop Computers, 15 Desktop Screens, 15 Desktop Keyboard, 1 Refrigerator for DNA, 1 Safe, 1 Reception Desk, Metal door and Lock, 15 Office tables, 15 Office chairs, 5 Office Cabinets, Equipment for serial number reconstruction.

• Activity 2.2.1: Procure and Install Equipment for Ballistic Analysis
• Comparative Microscope for Ballistic examination, Stereoscopic Microscopes, Ballistic Water Tank, including training, Thermal Cycler PCR Reader Machine, Comparative Microscope for Ballistic examination, Stereoscopic Microscopes.