On 15 November, UNLIREC delivered the first session of its regional webinar series on Forensic Firearms Investigations: Emerging Challenges. This initiative, funded by the Government of the United States, seeks to equip Caribbean States with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and confront evolving firearms-related threats.
The first webinar, Ghost Guns: Self-Fabricated Firearms & Privately Manufactured Firearms, brought together over 90 participants from across the Caribbean, including senior law enforcement officials, criminal investigators, ballistics experts, legal personnel, policy officers, and other State representatives.
The webinar provided a deep dive into the history and evolution of privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns due to their untraceable nature. Such firearms are manufactured outside traditional commercial processes and built-in accountability mechanisms such as marking, often using 3D printers or assembly kits. These weapons are untraceable due to their lack of serial numbers, making them a challenge for law enforcement. They are increasingly appearing in crime scenes worldwide, including in the Caribbean, complicating efforts to trace their origin or link them to criminal networks.
The webinar also provided critical insights into crime scene management and investigative strategies specific to ghost guns. Different techniques were discussed for identifying and collecting evidence related to self-fabricated firearms, as well as the legal hurdles that arise when prosecuting crimes involving these weapons.
UNLIREC’s webinar series is part of a broader effort to enhance the forensic and investigative capacities across the Caribbean. Firearms trafficking and gun violence remain significant challenges in the region, exacerbated by the emergence of ghost guns and other innovative technologies, but States remain committed to countering these challenges as part of a common initiative, the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. Through these webinars, UNLIREC aims to support the implementation of these efforts.