May 23, 2019 | Uncategorized
From 6 – 17 May 2019, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, created a physical open case file (OCF) of ballistic samples from unsolved firearm crimes. This initiative improved Guyana´s ability to link gun crimes and reduce impunity in cases of armed violence. An OCF can provide an immediate intelligence product as to whether or not a gun has a history of use and is therefore a significant investigative tool. By collating all crime scene bullets and cartridges, the police or national laboratories can potentially link cases using firearms and ammunition evidence recovered at different crime scenes, as well as firearms recovered independently from a crime scene.
Two firearm examiners and two assistant firearm examiners from the Guyana Police Force, as well as two Scientific Officers from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory participated in the two-week exercise to create an OCF. This included test firing recovered weapons, reviewing test fire procedures, documenting reproducible firearm marks found on spent casings and bullets, conducting microscopic examination of casings and bullets, and documenting, uploading and searching data recovered from spent casings and bullets in an OCF database.
Data from ammunition recovered from 19 gun crimes that occurred between 2012 and 2019, many of which were never examined, were entered into the newly created OCF database along with test fires from one crime gun recovered independently of a crime scene. The OCF revealed that there were several shooting incidents where as many as three rifles were used. This preliminary information, if the OCF continues to be populated, would inevitably identify links between repeatedly used crime guns; this underscores the importance of having a searchable, physical open case file to combat impunity in cases of armed violence.
The creation of an OCF in Guyana is made possible thanks to the support of the government of the United States of America.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
May 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
To support state efforts to implement UN Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), partnered with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Ministry of Defense of Suriname, from 7-8 May 2019 to conduct a table top exercise on maritime and port security. This event was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Canada.
The exercise engaged 36 government officials (including the navy, coast guard, maritime police, maritime and port authority) in dynamic discussions around a series of potential threat scenarios and cases presented by IMO and UNLIREC experts, such as illicit trafficking of WMD materials, maritime safety inspections, physical protection of ports and management of hazardous materials.
Participants also addressed issues relating to inter-institutional coordination, adoption of preventive and reactive measures to possible threats, revision of existing operational procedures at ports, existing legal framework and mechanisms for establishing roles and responsibilities of relevant institutions.
This tabletop exercise was the result of an official request for assistance from Suriname in alignment with the country’s 1540 Voluntary National Action Plan, which was presented by the country to the 1540 Committee and Group of Experts earlier this year.
UNLIREC has reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with the Government of Suriname to further strengthen the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in the country and looks forward to continuing its fruitful collaboration with the IMO and other partner agencies to strengthen maritime and port security across the region.
Apr 12, 2019 | Uncategorized
From 1 – 11 April 2019, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, created a physical open case file (OCF) of ballistic samples from unsolved firearm crimes.
Phase 3 of the UNLIREC’s Combatting Illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean through Operational Forensic Ballistics, sought to develop a physical OCF to improve St. Kitts and Nevis´ ability to link gun crimes and reduce impunity in cases of armed violence. An OCF can provide an immediate intelligence product as to whether or not a gun has a history of use and is therefore a significant investigative tool. By collating all crime scene bullets and cartridges, the police or national laboratories can potentially link cases using firearms and ammunition evidence recovered at different crime scenes as well as firearms recovered independent of a crime scene.
A Firearm Examiner, Scientific and Crime Scene staff from the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force participated in the two week exercise to create an OCF. This included test firing recovered weapons, reviewing test fire procedures, documenting reproducible firearm marks found on spent casings and bullets, conducting microscopic examination of casings and bullets, and documenting, uploading and searching data recovered from spent casings and bullets in an OCF database.
Data from ammunition recovered from three gun crimes that occurred over seven days were entered in the newly created OCF database along with test fires of two crime guns recovered independently of a crime scene. A search of the database revealed presumptive ‘hits’ between five cartridge cases from one of the scenes and the two firearms. This preliminary information linking previously unknown gun crimes highlights the importance and relevance of having a searchable, physical open case file to combat impunity in cases of armed violence. Following these observations, firearm examiners will analyse the ballistic evidence to confirm the linkages.
The creation of an OCF in St Kitts and Nevis is made possible thanks to the support of the government of the United States of America.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Mar 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
From 18-29 March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, commenced the second phase of firearm examiner training, which focuses on in-situ field visits, training on comparison microscopy for the examination of firearm and ammunition evidence, including bullets and cartridge cases.
UNLIREC’s current project on Combatting Illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean Through Operational Forensic Ballistics, seeks to provide States with more in-depth forensic ballistic training. In 2018, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) identified a human resource requirement to enhance the capacity of the current firearms technicians so that they may eventually become competent reporting officers, capable of signing off on forensic reports. Six technicians from the Royal Bahamas Police Force participated in this training. Topics covered included examination of fired ammunition components and comparative toolmark examinations.
During Phase 1 and 2 of the Operational Forensic Ballistic assistance package, Bahamas received support through, inter alia, training in forensic ballistic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the development of an internal testing tool to prepare firearm examiners for proficiency testing, and firearms and ammunition evidence management. This current assistance is made possible thanks to the support of the government of the United States of America.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Mar 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
Within the framework of the Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition in Latin America and the Caribbean project, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica conducted a seminar on marking small arms and ammunition on 27 March.
The seminar boasted the participation of authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Forensic Sciences Laboratory and the Judicial Investigation Department.
Since 2017 UNLIREC has been working with Costa Rica on the standardization of arms marking protocols. During the seminar the obligations, standards and good international practices on marking as an arms control measure were addressed. The seminar provided a space for exchange among the different participating entities geared towards advancing the implementation of international commitments signed by Costa Rica regarding the implementation of arms marking and their incorporation in national law.
During the seminar there were also presentations on good practices for marking ammunition as well as different technical proposals in line with international guidelines. The activity ended with a practical component in which the participants could witness the marking of arms and ammunition with laser technology.
The implementation of this project is possible thanks to financial assistance from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mar 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
On 26 March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security, conducted the Seminar on the Control of Firearm and Ammunition Imports Control in San José, with particular focus on private security companies and trading houses as end-users. In addition to members of civil society, the Seminar boasted the participation of authorities and representatives from the Office for Private Security Services, the General Directorate of Armament, the General Directorate of Customs, the Judicial Investigation Department, the Intelligence and National Security Department, the Department of Arms and Explosives Control, the Fiscal Control Police and officials from the Special Intervention Unit as entities responsible for the authorization and control of arms transfers and the regulation of private security services.
During the day, stakeholders shared the main findings on the private security and firearms situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Legal provisions and obligations concerning the control of arms and ammunition transfers included in international instruments were addressed, placing special emphasis on those outlined in the Arms Trade Treaty. For their part, authorities from the Ministry of Public Security and the General Directorate of Customs shared the progress being made in the national system of arms imports in Costa Rica.
The activity ended with two practical simulation exercises. Participants were given the opportunity to apply the import evaluation methodology created by UNLIREC on the basis of criteria and elements outlined in international instruments. The seminar placed particular emphasis on transfers intended for private security and arms trading companies.
The workshop allowed stakeholders to visualize future challenges and promote cooperation and coordination among the national entities responsible for controlling transfers and civilian-held firearms as well as regulating private security services.
Since 2015 the United Nations Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) has been implementing assistance projects in Costa Rica on small arms and ammunition control in the private security sector.
The implementation of this Project is made possible thanks to financial support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
