BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORTY members from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Customs Department and the Fire and Rescue Services have successfully completed a Crime Scene Management Subject Matter training course.
The four-day course, which concluded on Friday (Feb. 25), was sponsored by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) and Force Protection Detachment (FPD) of the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley, who was praised for his efforts in leading the negotiations for the training course, was the Master of Ceremonies. He told the participants that they were very fortunate to have had a training programme of this nature held in the Federation.
He also indicated that the multi-agency approach taken was indeed necessary, as they move forward in a united front to rid the society of crime.
In his opening remarks, Commissioner of Police Austin Williams stated that the course reflects the commitment of the US Government to invest and partner with the Federation to strengthen regional security.
“I am excited that I can witness you coming together and sharing, exchanging and acquiring knowledge. This type of exercise underscores this type of networking. I urge you to take advantage of this rich training you have been exposed to,” he said.
The participants were also advised to take what they have learnt and share with their colleges as training of this type is valuable and there is need for it is recognised.
Meanwhile, lead facilitator Jim Lofstrom of the NCIS gave a review of the course, stating that they were delighted to have been invited to share their knowledge in this important aspect of crime scene management.
Lofstrom said the training had included three days of classroom instructions of which Table Top Exercises were used to prepare the participants for the one day practical crime scene exercise. Lofstrom also said that he and his co-facilitators arranged this scene to challenge any crime scene investigation team to identify, locate, collect and preserve any evidence that may be necessary to the successful investigation of a crime.
Lofstrom noted that he and the participants studied scene examination and processing of the body, and that it is essential to conduct a systematic, organised and logical crime scene examination.
He said the group also learned about the three elements of documentation - photography, sketching and notes. For this form of exercise, he said they had organised the participants into teams of three.
The facilitator added that they also learned about the importance of fingerprints, how to collect DNA and impression evidence, trace evidence, electronic evidence and how to protect and preserve the evidence.
He indicated that everyone performed very well on the course and advised them to share what they have learned with their colleagues.
He stressed that evidence could be literally anything and told the participants that every contact leaves a trace, adding that it is not possible for a perpetrator or anyone to enter a scene and not leave something of themselves or not take something away.
The Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor, also addressed the course participants. Condor said he is really thankful for the course as they cannot stop crime, but have suffered in detection and prosecution. And for this, the Security Minister said he would like to thank the sponsors, partners and the facilitators of the programme.
“The most high profile crime that is still bothering us at this time is the double murder in May of last year at Half Moon, which until now is still a major concern to us. So I am sure that the last four days would assist us in making some progress and making some headway in terms of those areas.”
Minister Condor thanked the facilitators, sponsors and organizers for what he deemed a most important exercise, while stating that it would go a long way in helping to strengthen and build capacity as well as increase performances in the security forces.
The vote of thanks was given by Officer Shorna Edwards which was followed by the presentation of the certificates to the 40 participants.
