Professional skills of forensic laboratory experts from West and Central Asia strengthened at the training courses conducted by the UNODC
17-28 September 2018, Vienna, Austria
On 17 - 28 September 2018, the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries in collaboration with the UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Section (LSS) organized two consecutive one-week long training courses on "Laboratory Identification of Illicit Drugs".
During the practical training forensic laboratory experts from Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan have been introduced with internationally acknowledged methodologies and techniques for accurate analysis of traditional drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine as well as of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Trainees under the supervision of the LSS staff conducted preliminary screening tests of narcotic substances (colour tests, FTIR and Raman), qualitative analysis using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantitative analysis using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Special attention at the training was paid to insuring high quality management standards by laboratory and forensic experts while conducting the drug tests.
All participants successfully fulfilled all tasks envisaged by the training and were awarded with certificates. UNODC has provided each participant with guidelines and methodology manuals that could be used in their laboratory work. All participants expressed their satisfaction and requested to regularly organize such training courses.
The training courses were funded by the European Union.