SALW Control Roadmap 2030
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Advancing the capacities of the Serbian Ministry of Interior (UNDP Serbia)

Duration

October 2019 - December 2021

Beneficiary/ies

MoI Serbia, General Police Directorate, Criminal Investigation Directorate, CSI unit, National Forensic Centar and Ballistic laboratories

Donor/s

German Federal Foreign Office (Funding Windows)

Funding Amount

USD 958,284

Funding gaps (if any)

N/A

Objective/s

  • The project aims to increase the capacities of the Serbian MoI in the entire investigative cycle and, in particular, to improve the custody chain to enhance investigations to obtain regular convictions.
  • The project will look at all aspects of this custody chain such as:
  • Standard operating procedures for the custody chain,
  • Crime scene investigation, documentation of the crime scene and the recovery of evidence,
  • Tagging of evidence and filling in the evidence register,
  • Evidence storage and delivery at forensic laboratory,
  • Reception at Forensic laboratory and temporary storage and starting the LIMS procedures,
  • Open case file,
  • Expert reports and return of evidence,
  • Installation of the water tank for test firing,
  • Accreditation of CSI and ballistic laboratory.

Contributing to the Roadmap goal/s

Goal 1 - By 2023, ensure that arms control legislation is in place, fully harmonized with the EU regulatory framework and other related international obligations and standardized across the region.
Goal 3 - By 2024, significantly reduce illicit flows of firearms, ammunition and explosives (FAE) into, within and beyond the Western Balkans. 
Goal 5 - By 2024, substantially decrease the estimated number of firearms in illicit possession in the Western Balkans.

Contributing to the Roadmap overall targets

Goal 1:

  • 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.

Goal 5:

  • Substantially increase number of seized firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Key activities implemented up to date

Component 1: Establishment of Regulatory Framework

  • Activity 1.1.1: Gap analysis document in the area of crime scene investigation and chain of custody developed. The expert amended standard operating procedures in the area of the chain of custody of law enforcement. UNDP sent to the MoI/NFC on the internal approval. NFC approved the SOP. Training on the approved SOP organized online.
  • Activity 1.1.2: The expert amended standard operating procedure on crime scene investigation in order to be fully harmonized with relevant EU guidance such as the ‘IAF/ILAC-A4:2004 Guidance on the Application of ISO/IEC 17020’ and ‘EA-5/03 Guidance for the Implementation of ISO/IEC 17020 in the field of crime scene investigation’ as well as the ISO 17020. UNDP sent to the MoI/NFC on the internal approval. NFC approved SOP. Training on the approved SOP organized online.
  • Activity 1.1.3: The expert amended the Standard operating procedure of packaging and tagging of evidence which will facilitate the tracing of evidence throughout the chain of custody at all times. UNDP sent to the MoI/NFC on the internal approval. NFC approved SOP. Training on the approved SOP organized online.
  • Activity 1.1.4: The expert prepared the standard operating procedure on the development of an “open case file” for ballistic examination. UNDP sent to the Ballistic laboratory on the internal approval. NFC/Ballistic laboratory approved SOP.

 

Component 2. Increased capacity of CSI units (Crime Scene Investigations)

  • Activity 1.2.1: The expert developed training curricula for CSI units according to the ENFSI standards. Online trainings for all 27 regional directorates and more than 60 participants organized. In addition to the training curricula, an Instruction regarding the exact procedure in the area of domestic violence for the CSI officers has been drafted and submitted to MoI/NFC.
  • Activity 1.2.2: The equipment for CSI unit related to the SALW, successfully purchased, installed and delivered. Three 3D scanners and software for animation and reconstruction successfully purchased, installed, delivered and trainings organized.
  • Activity 1.2.3: The expert prepared recommendations for accreditation in accordance to ISO 17020 together with the training curriculum. Trainings were successfully organized for all 27 regional directorates and more than 60 participants were trained.

 

Component 3: Support to central level lab especially in the field of ballistics

  • Activity 1.3.1: LIMS (Laboratory Inventory Management System) software was successfully designed, developed and successfully installed.
  • Activity 1.3.2: The OPEN CASE FILE storage and the necessary equipment installed and established. The installation of the OCF database finalized, established and installed.
  • Activity 1.3.3: The Reception room was successfully adapted and established with storage equipment. The specialized gunsmith tables instaled. 
  • Activity 1.3.4: The water tank for test-firing was delivered, installed and specialized training were organized.