OSCE Centre supports course on investigating post-blast crime scenes for Kyrgyz police

BISHKEK, 29 May 2009 - Kyrgyz police officers conclude a two-week OSCE-supported course tomorrow on investigating crime scenes where explosions have occurred.

The 19 participants - forensic experts from the police and interior ministry troops as well as Kyrgyz Police Academy and Justice Ministry officials - learned how to use multimedia kits and took part in practical sessions during the course, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Russian Col. Alexey Stetskevich, Head of the Explosion and Fire Examination Unit at the Russian Interior Ministry's Forensic Centre, demonstrated how to carry out a crime scene inspection after an explosion while keeping in mind the threat of additional explosions and how to deal with suspicious objects.

"This course aimed to provide professional development for forensic experts with the ultimate goal of improving crime detection and investigation," said Evgeny Cherenkov, the OSCE Centre's Police Reform Programme Manager. 

Kanat Imanaliev, Head of the Forensic Centre at the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry added: "This course is immensely important because unprofessional crime scene inspection after explosions represents a real danger both to police and the population. Now the officers will be able to do the inspection in accordance with all safety rules and ensure that evidence is protected."

The technical support to the Kyrgyz forensic service is part of the OSCE Centre's Police reform Programme, which aims to strengthen the institutional, operational and educational capacity of the Kyrgyz Police and reinforce its legal framework.