May 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 5 to 9 of September, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of the Bahamas, carried out the pilot forensic ballistics collaborative competency testing exercise. These exercises form part of the third round of implementation under the framework of the UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The collaborative exercises are a series of practical and multiple choice questions on the competencies of small arms ammunition examination, examination of firearms and their components and trigger pull and travel examination. The exercises – based on UNLIREC’s standard operating procedures – were developed as a preparatory step for a regional framework of competency testing, at the same time, they can be used as an internal assessment tool for the forensic science institutes and laboratories of the region.
During this process, four police officers from the Scientific Support Services were assessed. These assessments also support the internal identification of existing gaps in competency testing for forensic ballistics.
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.
Apr 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 4 to 8 of April, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Barbados carried out a series of hands-on forensic ballistics training exercises in Bridgetown. These exercises represent the second round of assistance held under the framework of UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The training exercises enabled five firearms examiners from the Royal Barbados Police Force to gain in-depth knowledge on specific UNLIREC Standard Operating Procedures, such as forensic examination of firearms, comparison microscopy, validation of scientific methods, recording and reporting of forensic evidence and health and safety during forensic processes. The activities also included a series of practical exercises comparing cartridge cases and bullets using a comparison microscope as well as reviewing possible validation and calibration protocols. The exercises provided participants with the opportunity to exchange best practices, discuss challenges faced in the field as well as practice new methods and technology in order to build more substantial cases and solid evidence.
For the third round of project assistance to the Government of Barbados, UNLIREC will be promoting the implementation of a series of collaborative exercises derived from forensic ballistic SOPs as a tool for determining staff competencies in key functional areas.
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.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).
Mar 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 14 to 18 of March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of the Bahamas and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, held a series of hands-on forensic ballistics training exercises in Nassau and Basseterre. These exercises represent the second round of assistance held under the framework of UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The training exercises enabled firearms examiners from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and officials from the Royal St Kitts and Nevis Police Force to gain in-depth knowledge on specific UNLIREC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), such as bullet damaged items, forensic examination of firearms, comparison microscopy, open case file, and range of fire (shot pattern determination). The activities also included a series of practical exercises, including comparing cartridge cases and bullets using a comparison microscope, and assembling an open case file and determining range of fire with bulleted cartridge firearms and shot guns. The exercises provided participants with the opportunity to exchange best practices, discuss challenges faced in the field, as well as practice new methods and technology in order to build more substantial cases and solid evidence.
For the third round of project assistance to the Government the Bahamas and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, UNLIREC will be promoting the implementation of a series of collaborative exercises derived from forensic ballistic SOPs as a tool for determining staff competencies in key functional areas.
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.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).
Mar 5, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 3 to 5 of May, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Belize carried out a series of activities on standard operating procedures (SOP) adaptation and harmonization in Belize city. These exercises represent the second round of assistance held under the framework of UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The training exercises enabled four firearms examiners from the National Forensic Sciences Services (NFSS) to gain in-depth knowledge on how to develop and improve their Standard Operating Procedures, how to present expert testimonies in a court setting and, finally, how to double-cast bullets and cartridges for use in training and information sharing with neighbouring countries. The exercises provided participants with the opportunity to exchange best practices, discuss challenges faced in the field as well as practice new methods and technology in order to build more substantial cases and solid evidence.
Parallel to training activities, a workshop on coordination between justice system operators related to forensic ballistics evidence management and information sharing allowed the stakeholder to address gaps in existing communication and cooperation frameworks.
For the third round of project assistance to the Government of Belize, UNLIREC will be promoting the implementation of a series of collaborative exercises derived from forensic ballistic SOPs as a tool for determining staff competencies in key functional areas of: firearms examination and identification, ammunition examination and identification and trigger pull.
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.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).
Feb 29, 2016 | Uncategorized
From February 29 to March 3rd, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the government of Jamaica, held a training course on country-specific ballistic priorities in order to consolidate national capacity in those areas. This course is the second training held under the framework of UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The three-day training course on operational forensic ballistics enabled 18 participants, including firearms examiners and technicians to gain in-depth knowledge and practice on topics, such as health and safety, small arms ammunition examination, muzzle energy determination and range of fire. The course included developing health and safety messages, identifying ammunition and ammunition viability, calculating muzzle energy and a series of practical exercises on shot pattern determination. Participants also had the opportunity to exchange best practices and challenges faced in the field and to practice new methods and technology in order to build more substantial cases and solid evidence.
UNLIREC also handed over the first set of materials assigned to each country as part of the assistance package to officials from the Firearms Licensing Authority and of the Forensic Laboratory.
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.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).
