The AFP has hosted 20 law enforcement partners from the Asia-Pacific region to undertake a Crime Scene Investigation training program in Canberra.
The program, which drew delegates from the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, was completed over a fortnight.
Developed and delivered by AFP Forensics Crime Scene members, the program featured theoretical components and a heavy emphasis on the practical application of best-practice crime scene investigation – ensuring evidence could be taken from the crime scene to the court room.
Practical components of the program were facilitated using the purpose-built forensics training facility at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Participants were trained by AFP Crime Scene Investigators who have a wealth of practical experience in the field.
The practical components of the crime scene examination included recording techniques using photography, note taking and sketching, fingerprint detection, enhancement and collection, biological evidence collection and exhibit handling and packaging.
Participants were required to put all of the components together and were assessed on their examination of a serious assault scene. They later produced a court report and took it to the court room.
The program was specially developed to align with the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Pacific Forensic Working Group (PFWG) learning guide and aimed to formalise and consolidate forensic training programs across the Pacific.
The program was designed to strengthen the capacity of all police agencies in the Asia Pacific while building on the skills and capabilities of the participants. It provided an opportunity for members to build a peer network with other crime scene investigators across the region who can mentor and support each other upon completion of the training.
AFP Coordinator of Crime Scenes, Andrew Parkinson said the training was an important opportunity for the AFP’s international partners in the region to learn and collaborate as crime scene capabilities continued to evolve.
“The AFP’s commitment to the delivery of this program is a critical component of our efforts to strengthen regional safety and security through close engagement and support offered to our police partners,” he said.
“By supporting the delivery of this program, we are directly assisting our law enforcement partners access world leading training. We are immensely proud of the work our investigators do and this was an exceptional opportunity to share a little of what we’ve learned in our quest for world leading policing best practice.
The AFP understands the opportunity to come together with regional law enforcement partners to learn and share with each other is of great value to the respective organisations and governments.”
