From September 26 – October 1, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with Energy Containment Concepts of England, completed the refurbishment, training and handing over of the Indoor Test Firing Range at the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, Jamaica.
In 2015, UNLIREC conducted Technical Assessments of the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM) to determine the Forensic Ballistics Capabilities and Future Requirements of the Governments of Jamaica. The findings of the assessment noted that in the test firing areas of both the IFS and the FLA, internal sound-proofing is required in order to protect the long-term hearing of the personnel responsible for such work.
UNLIREC engaged an internationally recognized leader in the installation of firearm ranges to supply and install acoustic surfacing panels designed to reduce and absorb reflected sound on the perimeter walls and non-skid anti-ricochet rubber mats on the floor.
The refurbished facility would significantly reduce health and safety concerns, boost the morale and efficiency of the Forensic Firearms Examiners, and improve the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine’s forensic ballistic capacity. Test firing and function testing practices will now take place in a more secure ballistic facility.
The refurbished test firing range is one of several activities provided under the Operational Forensic Ballistic assistance package sponsored by Canada. Other assistance to Jamaica included the donation of Bullettrax bullet analysis equipment, training in forensic ballistic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the development of an internal testing tool to prepare firearm examiners for proficiency testing and shooting incident reconstruction training.
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.