Support to the Albanian Police and Justice System in the Field of Forensic Science (UK Government)

Duration

2023-2026 with possibility of extension

Beneficiary/ies

Albanian State Police, Albanian State Police Scientific Police Institute, General Prosecutor's Office

Donor/s

United Kingdom

Funding Amount

Approximately GBP 6,000,000

Funding gaps (if any)

The project is focused on providing technical assistance and does not plan any significant capital spend on equipment, etc. 

While there is a need for better equipment in the National Forensic Lab as well as improved CSI facilities, before this is provided, the structural and institutional obstacles that currently hinder raising standards need to be addressed (see below)

Objective/s

Objectives

• Albanian forensic evidence collection and analysis meet and comply with the accreditation criteria ISO 17025 and allow for membership of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).
• Albanian police and criminal justice professionals comply with the accreditation criteria ISO 17020 for Crime Scene Investigation (CSI). Albania builds and continues to populate a National DNA Database within an appropriate legal framework and to ISO standards.
• A legal and regulatory framework for the development and use of forensic and biometric evidence embedded within the Albanian Government and Justice system.
• Increased capacity for the identification of individuals through biometrics. Improved Albanian criminal record management, criminal conviction, arrest and deportation data are more accurately attributed to the correct individual.

Outcomes

• Improvement in the technical capabilities of Albanian Police forensics and CSI with services adequately resourced and staffed by appropriately trained experts who have secured, demonstrated and maintained the necessary competence for their role.
• Improved understanding and use of forensic evidence by justice professionals who demonstrate awareness of the varied weight of evidence provided by forensics; better management of crime scenes with fewer unnecessary submissions.
• A regulatory framework that enables the use and sustainment of forensic science widely in the Criminal Justice System.
• An increased capacity for the identification of individuals through biometrics and improved and integrated record-keeping within Albania.

Contributing to the Roadmap goal/s

Contributing to the Roadmap overall targets

Goal 2:

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

Goal 3:

• Prevent trafficking (smuggling, illicit trade and transit) of FAE through improved processes, equipment and training of targeted law enforcement units. 

Key activities implemented up to date

• Assessment of CSI capacity and recommendations for future CSI development (these have been accepted by the ASP).
• Assessment of the requirements to develop a National Forensic Strategy.
• Commencement of the implementation of a Quality Management system within the National Laboratory.
• Commencement of competency testing for CSI staff.
• Provision of a DNA reference line laboratory.

Main challenges encountered

The ASP has received considerable training and equipment provision for many years; despite this, forensic and CSI standards remain low. The reasons for this are structural and cannot be solved by training alone- it requires a change of culture and internal processes. The project is focusing on changing these.

The new Police Law, passed in July 2024, removes the right of the police to take DNA from arrested persons other than in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code. The practical outcome of this is that the Albanian DNA Database will not develop further.