UNODC Continues Supporting Counter-Narcotics Interagency Mobile Teams in Uzbekistan by Providing Training on Usage of Polygraph Equipment

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 11 February-1 March, 22-26 April 2019 - The success of investigations on illicit drug trafficking cases in many ways depends on the effective interrogation process. Investigators deal with professional traffickers and require both certain skills and high-quality equipment to obtain useful information from the suspects.

Having handed over the computer Polygraph system to the Interagency Mobile Teams of Uzbekistan, an equipment for effective interrogation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Central Asia organized a series of trainings on "Psychophysiological studies and usage of polygraph equipment" for 10 specialists from the State Security Service and the Ministry of Interior and faculty of the Academy of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Uzbekistan to enhance the counter-narcotic operations implemented by the  Interagency Mobile Teams (IMTs).

"Last week we handed over the Polygraph equipment within the framework of the IMT initiative to the State Security Service, the Ministry of Interior, and State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We would also like to make sure that necessary training is provided to enable optimal usage of the equipment." - said Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.

"During the IMT missions we were requested to train and equip professionals with required knowledge and skills to be able to do profiling and identification of persons who are engaged in drug trafficking." - she added.

"We strongly believe that the training will enrich the skills of the officers, as well as complement the curriculum of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." - said Mr. Abror Otajonov, deputy Director of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the host of the training.

Mr. Vladimir Knyazev, polygraph expert, Vice-President of the International Polygraph Association, delivered the training which was aimed at enabling the participants to use polygraph in operational search activities, identify counteraction to polygraph and to neutralize it, to apply non-instrumental lie detection methods, to conduct graphological analysis of handwritten texts, to obtain confessions, etc.

The training emphasized on preparation of tests related to drug trafficking cases, including proper preparation of questions to identify direct participation in drug trafficking, the character and level of involvement (production, transportation, marketing, use, etc.), possible frequency of drug use, type of drugs used/manufactured/distributed (cannabinoids, including smoking devices, opiates, psychostimulants, hallucinogens, depressants, inhalants), drug storage, transportation methods, etc.

The participants were awarded certificates of completion and were also accepted into the International Polygraph Association for further exchange of experience and consultations with other polygraph examiners and receiving latest methodological and technological updates in the field.

The training was organized within the framework of the component on "Countering trafficking of Afghan narcotics in Uzbekistan through establishment if Interagency Mobile Teams", implemented under the Sub-Programme 1 of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) and funded by the Government of Japan.

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Please, contact Mr. Muzaffar Tilavov

National Project Officer, UNODC ROCA

E-mail: muzaffar.tilavov[at]un.org

Tel.: +998 (71) 120-80-50