18 police officers were today presented with a certificate for a course they attended on crime scene investigation. The course was carried out by a team of specialised experts from the Netherlands Forensic Institute.

Minister for Home Affairs, Carmelo Abela said that the aim of the police force is to have a new Police Forensic Lab. He said the Malta Police Force already upgraded to modern Forensic Techniques. Speaking at the ceremony this afternoon held at the headquarters of the Police Force, the Minister said that accreditation has already been attained in the fields of finger printing and DNA.

Those presented with these certificates will surely have the occasion to use the knowledge gained, as so far in 2016, the services of the Police Forensic Unit were sought in more than a 1000 cases, including three alleged homicides and 11 traffic fatalities.

Minister for Social Solidarity, Helena Dalli, who presided over the ceremony, said that this event marks a new chapter for the local Police Force. She said this initiative was very much welcomed by members of the judiciary.