Skopje, 22 January 2025 (MIA) - A handover of equipment for more effective crime scene investigations involving weapons took place Wednesday at the Ministry of Interior (MoI). This equipment will be used mainly by the MoI’s Forensics Department and crime scene investigation units in internal affairs sectors nationwide.

The equipment was donated as part of the project "Strengthening the Capacities of the Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation System to Improve Criminal Justice Response to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)," implemented by UNDP under the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Roadmap, to which North Macedonia is a signatory. The project's donor is the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Western Balkans, comprising Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, and Norway, with support from the European Union, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.

Valued at over $200,000, the equipment consists of universal and specialized crime scene investigation kits, cameras, computers, and related hardware for processing crime scenes. Forensics and crime scene investigation play a crucial role in the criminal justice system when it comes to cases involving firearms. Through the analysis of ballistics, trace evidence, and fingerprints, forensic experts and investigative teams working in these units provide critical evidence to help solve crimes and prevent potential future violence.

Part of the donated equipment will be utilized to equip the new crime scene investigation simulation facilities being developed by UNDP at the Ministry of Interior Training Center in Idrizovo.

"The implementation of this project is of great importance for the Ministry of Interior. It underscores our commitment to fulfilling the goals of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Roadmap, particularly the adoption of an arms control legal framework fully harmonized with EU regulations and regionally standardized, reducing the illegal circulation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives within the Western Balkans and beyond, and strengthening awareness and educational efforts to ensure more effective small arms control and combat illegal arms trafficking," Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Armen Grigoryan highlighted the long-standing cooperation with the Interior Ministry in fighting the possession, misuse, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

"As a result of our joint efforts, we have provided specialized investigation equipment, organized certified training for police officers, and developed software for data collection and analysis. This has led to significantly improved investigations and preventive measures aimed at strengthening the safety of all citizens. Today, we mark a new step in our successful cooperation with the Forensics Department and crime scene investigation units across the country. But we are not stopping here. UNDP is currently finalizing the adaptation and equipping of the ballistic laboratory, which will be used for testing firearms and ammunition in criminal proceedings. Upcoming initiatives include gender sensitization training and the enhancement of the police incident record module, previously developed by UNDP, with new features for documenting cases of gender-based and domestic violence," Grigoryan said.

The overall objective of the project is to modernize the forensic and crime scene investigation (CSI) units in North Macedonia to improve the quality of handling crime scenes and collecting of evidence thus leading to better investigations, strengthened bilateral/ international exchange of evidence and a more efficient criminal justice system. The project interventions will upgrade ballistic facilities and operations of MoI’s Forensics Department, as well as enhance analytical, technical and investigative capacities of the CSI units.

Photo and video: Ministry of Interior