Forensic Department police officers from the Scene of Crime Unit attended a five-week intensive training in crime scene investigation by experts from the Netherlands Forensic Institute, known for being one of the world’s leading forensic laboratories. Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela visited the 14 CSI officers who were sitting for their practical examinations at Kandja Academy. Modules covered included new methodology of how to approach a crime scene, touch DNA sampling, scene of crime photography and securing evidence in serious crimes.
Minister Abela remarked that investiment in Forensics is a direct contribution towards the fact finding missions, the fight against crime and for justice to be done with victims of crime. In the last two years, the police forensic unit was involved in around 3,300 cases varying from ballistics, DNA database, document examination, fingerprint comparison and crime scene investigation.
He noted that as criminals are becoming more meticolous in their acts, preservation of trace evidence and scene of crime investigation require specialisation.
This year, the Malta Police Unit saw the arrival of new modern equipment to assist officers in their duties. However, the aim is to invest in certified trained personnel to match their skills with hi-tech complex evolving scenario.
In his address Minister Abela noted that the last training course in basic scene of crime for the police was last held 20 years ago. It has been a practise for personnel in the CSI unit to learn their dutities from their fellow colleagues by means of in house training.
Speaking on the importance of specialised training in the forensic field, he noted that this CSI course included training in blood spatter pattern analysis, a specialised training module being provided to the Malta Police Force for the very first time.
He added that since 2015, 10 members from the police forensic department have attended certified courses in renowned police colleges in England and Italy in fields such as detecting false documentation, fingerprints matching, e-DNA software and disaster victim identification. In the coming months, another 10 officers will be given the same CSI training opportunity at ta’ Kandja while 5 forensic police will be attending courses abroad to specialise in areas including laboratory chemical enhancement and forensic archeology scenes of crime.
“This modus operandi does not reflect our ambitions for a modern police force. Continuous professional training for our police, will keep on marking the road ahead," Mr Abela said.
The Minister for Home Affairs had words of appreciation towards the work carried out by the Malta Laboratories Network under the Minsitry for Social Dialogue, Consumer and Civil Liberties for their crucial assistance in the organisation of this training programme with the Netherlands Forensic Institute. Similarly, he thanked the NFI experts for their commitment towards a high standard of teaching, Kandja Academy representatives for empowering the police officers to enhance their techniques and the 48 officers forming part of the Police Forensic Department for their continuous hard work.