BAGHDAD, Oct. 12, 2006 — “There is no such thing as a perfect crime, as there are always clues left behind” is a phrase that is often echoed in police circles all around the world. Detectives and analysts say a good forensics investigation will always lead to the perpetrator. By unveiling the National Forensics Academy in Baghdad Oct. 2, the Iraqi Police told the world the same rings true in Iraq and they are committed to training their crime scene investigators in forensics. The ceremony featured a walk-through of the academy and showcased new crime scene investigation equipment. Iraqi Police Capt. Sabah, an 11-year forensics investigator and one of the academy’s instructors, said the new academy will train the police in many new methods to detect and investigate crime.
“In the former regime there was a block between Iraqis and the world. We had some very experienced investigators but we lacked the scientific knowledge and new equipment, which the other countries had,” Sabah said with the help of an interpreter. “But since the fall of Saddam, we have been able to get new equipment and technologies. Now that we have this academy, we can use these tools to train our future investigators,” he added.
According to Sabah, forensics, or crime scene investigation, is one of the most exciting aspects of police work. He says even though arresting officers usually get the spotlight, he believes much of the credit goes to the investigators.
“Crime scene investigation is the backbone of an investigation, no matter how good the crime is, we are always gathering evidence to solve it,” Sabah said. “In our language we call it ‘the things which are behind the curtain’ because we are always working behind the scenes.”
Sabah said he is excited at the prospect of teaching investigative skills to many more police officers.
According to Mike Hallmark, a specialized police units coordinator with MNSTC-IÂ’s Civilian Police Assistant Training Team,the Baghdad Police College currently conducts a 30- day crime scene investigators course that is run by Iraqi personnel from the Baghdad Crime Lab. He said this course will soon be taught at the new forensics academy.
“About 18 months ago we put together a train-the-trainer course where we trained a dozen investigators as instructors and to date they have trained 232 investigators all over the country,” Hallmark said. “Now, because of this facility, we can have the Iraqi instructors from the crime lab conduct basic courses and bring in guests to train in special courses. We anticipate bringing in guest instructors from all over the world to train students in such disciplines as ballistics, chemical lab, photography or any other discipline that they need,” he added.
Iraqi Minister of Interior Jawad al- Bolani was present to officially open the academy and said that Iraq was, in the past, on the forefront of forensics, and hopes this new academy will help return them to that position.
“Almost 80 years ago, fingerprint technology was introduced in Iraq and the country built upon it over the years and at one time was referred to as a country in the lead,” al-Bolani said with the help of an interpreter. “It is with great pride that I open this facility and my hope is that it will be a center of excellence and bring us back to the front again.”
He thanked the Coalition for their continued support and acknowledged that the academy was the culmination of a lot of hard work from both the Iraqi people and Coalition advisors.
According to Hallmark, students attending the academy will learn not only management of crime scenes and the skills to explore evidence, but senior officers will also learn how to manage resources effectively.
Sabah said the ongoing developments of DNA and fingerprint technologies, coupled with the new school and its teaching techniques, has produced a major improvement in the ability of the Iraqi Police to detect and solve crime.
“Criminals are being caught in Iraq by using forensic evidence,” Sabah said, “and people should be aware that we are developing our skills and the many ways we can identify them. So if you are thinking of committing a crime, know that we will find you and we will get you."
And you Iraqi criminals get so much publicity for your crimes!