Automating Crime Scene Investigation through state-of-the-art crime scene vehicles for Gujranwala Police

12 October 2020, Gujranwala: UNODC has been working in close partnership with Punjab Police through the generous support of the Government of Norway, which is going a long way in modernizing and upgrading, among others, the crime scene capacity of the Punjab Police. The collection of evidence is the first and the most critical step in any criminal investigation right from the preservation to the collection of evidence without contamination for further investigation. The role of the  responders is therefore instrumental to any crime scene investigation that would seriously impact conviction if not done properly, hence, the provision of proper tools, equipment, knowledge and skills to first responders is fundamental to ensure that proper steps are followed to enable the criminal justice system to take its course in convicting criminals..

As part of its continued efforts, UNODC is working with the Gujranwala Police to enhance their capacity in crime scene investigation. To this end, a ground-breaking ceremony of handing over state-of-the-art purpose-built Crime Scene Vehicles to Gujranwala Police was held on 12 October 2020 at the Gujranwala Police Lines. The event had brought together district police officers of Gujranwala, Punjab Police and key representatives from UNODC.

The handing-over of the crime-scene mobile units was hailed as one of the milestones among a stream of transformative activities supported by the UNODC.  Mr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative, UNODC Country Office in Pakistan stressed the importance of minimizing the potential contamination of evidence in crime scene investigation. As the first-ever intervention of its kind for the Gujranwala Police, Mr. Milsom mentioned that the provision of vehicles will help to model investigation techniques and skills of investigation officers on global standards of investigation through access to state-of-the-art crime scene vehicles along with enhancing the capacity of the relevant police officers on its use.

Counterparts from the Punjab Police appreciated the intervention as a refreshing and long-awaited step towards modernizing speedy and efficient crime scene investigations in the most critical and crime-sensitive area of Gujranwala district.

The Crime Scene Vehicles will help the Gujranwala Police to deploy better support in the gathering and processing of physical and forensic evidence in line with international standards, upholding UNODC’s commitment towards delivering peace and justice to the people of Pakistan

 

The intervention is part of the four-year project, “Enhanced Capacities of Criminal Justice Actors in Punjab, Pakistan supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.