The International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) provides technical assistance and training in many countries around the world in the field of forensics sciences. "Forensics" refers to the application of science to the law. ICITAP's Forensic Services program helps develop crime laboratories that support criminal justice institutions, and also provides technical assistance and training in DNA/serology, engineering sciences, expert witness development, odontology, pathology and biology, physical anthropology, psychiatry and behavioral science, questioned documents, toxicology, forensic nursing, crime scene processing, forensic photography and digital imaging, computer evidence, and forensic accounting. The funding for this program is received from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. ICITAP's Forensic Services program supports:
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training and mentoring of forensic laboratory managers
- improvements in the quality of forensic services available to the criminal justice community through equipment donations and technical assistance
- the development of management systems to help laboratories attain International Organization for Standardization accreditation
- the implementation of quality assurance programs
- the development of policies and procedures, and technical and training manuals
Forensic Services underscores the critical role that evidence plays in all phases of the criminal justice process by providing assistance to forensic specialists, investigators, and prosecutors. ICITAP has recently supported forensic development in these countries:
Bulgaria
ICITAP is assisting the Bulgarian forensic laboratory system in its efforts to meet International Organization for Standardization standards and achieve full accreditation. Bulgaria's primary forensic laboratory, the Research Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (RIFSC), became a full member of the European Network of Forensic Sciences Institute after ICITAP provided technical assistance and training. ICITAP is also helping the RIFSC develop an information management system, which is a requisite for national accreditation. Through equipment donations, ICITAP is helping to improve forensic capabilities in 28 regional laboratories throughout Bulgaria's nationwide system.
Colombia
ICITAP has had a major impact on enhancing the forensic capabilities of Colombia's law enforcement agencies through a variety of assistance, including the donation of identification systems for DNA, firearms, fingerprints, and document imaging. These secure, wireless networks enable Colombia's scientists to build databases, exchange information, and make comparisons of forensic evidence. Also in Colombia, ICITAP, in partnership with the Department of Defense, is conducting forensic anthropology "dig schools" for investigators, prosecutors, and forensic professionals. This program is increasing the capacity of forensic laboratories to use DNA evidence to identify victims in mass graves—and to recover and process other evidence from mass graves—that will assist the Colombians in prosecuting members of paramilitary groups who were responsible for mass murders. As part of this effort, ICITAP also has provided specialized forensic training to Colombia's human rights teams. In another project, ICITAP is training scientists and prosecutors—as they learn how to work in the country's new accusatory system of criminal justice—in providing expert witness testimony and presenting demonstrative evidence.
Indonesia
ICITAP has provided technical assistance and training in Indonesia to help fight drug trafficking, piracy, trafficking in persons, identity fraud, and illegal immigration. ICITAP's programs—covering six forensic disciplines—trained 180 laboratory staff and 2,000 professionals, including police officers. Other assistance has been provided in laboratory safety, security, management, and accreditation.
Iraq
ICITAP performed an assessment of the Ministry of Interior's forensic system and worked with the transition team to develop a forensic services plan, which covers facilities, staffing, equipment, quality assurance, security, and policies and procedures development.
Kosovo
ICITAP helped authorities build and staff a new forensic laboratory in Priština. By 2006, 40 forensics professionals—including forensic scientists specializing in serology/DNA, drug chemistry, fingerprints, questioned documents, firearms, and quality assurance—were working in the laboratory.
Senegal
ICITAP's technical assistance in Senegal has focused on drug identification. ICITAP also has provided training on management, safety techniques, security, and quality assurance to professionals in the police forensic laboratory.
Tajikistan
After an initial assessment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs forensic laboratory, ICITAP developed a program that focuses on technical assistance and material support to fight narcotics trafficking. ICITAP renovated the laboratory space, updated the electrical system, and donated a gas chromatograph and an infrared spectrophotometer to the laboratory. ICITAP provided technical instruction on the operation of the instruments and quality assurance procedures on narcotics analysis.
Thailand
ICITAP conducted an assessment of two of Thailand's key forensic laboratories, and has provided training in questioned documents, gunshot residue, and explosive residue analysis.
Turkmenistan
ICITAP's forensic development program in Turkmenistan has focused on drug analysis and laboratory management procedures, including quality assurance. ICITAP donated a gas chromatograph with a mass selective detector and other instruments to identify drugs, including those collected in narcotics investigations. The Drug Enforcement Agency has partnered with ICITAP in providing technical assistance on the use of the instruments. ICITAP accompanied Turkmen laboratory professionals to international conferences and on tours of U.S. crime laboratories.
Uganda
ICITAP has provided technical assistance and training to Uganda in crime scene forensics, fingerprint enhancement, questioned documents, forensic pathology, and forensic autopsy examinations. ICITAP continues to work with Ugandan laboratory managers to develop policies and procedures, quality assurance, and laboratory safety and security protocols.
Ukraine
ICITAP has provided advanced training in Ukraine on computer forensics and DNA analysis topics, including procedures for interpreting mixed DNA results. ICITAP's work supports Ukraine's effort to secure the accreditation of its forensics center by the International Organization for Standardization. This work has included bringing the Ukrainians to the United States to observe internal audits at accredited forensic laboratories. ICITAP also provides training in the current generation of computer forensics, and quality assurance policies and procedures.
Uzbekistan
ICITAP conducted an assessment of the Ministry of Health National Laboratory. This assessment included an analysis of equipment needs and processes designed to improve evidence collection and handling, quality assurance, and physical security at the laboratory. ICITAP continues to provide equipment and technical assistance in toxicology and forensic biology to the Ministry of Health.
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