On 26 November 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held training on the identification and tracing of firearms for 17 prosecutors. The participants represented Prosecutor’s Offices from all 4 different appellate areas in the state.
The event was conducted on a shooting range near Skopje. The prosecutors had a chance to participate in a practical session and assemble and disassemble pistols, carabines, shotguns, sub-machine guns and assault rifles, and fire from pistols and revolvers. In the theoretical session, the prosecutors learned about firearms tracing and identification. The end of each presentation was subsequently followed by a Q&A session on the specific topic, allowing the prosecutors to make remarks, ask for clarifications and share their experiences.
The prosecutors acquired the basic knowledge on different types of firearms, their components and ammunition, and were introduced to the tracing procedures based on firearms markings. The training further focused on the use of this information in the investigations of illicit firearms trafficking and its` possible links to organized crime. The overall conclusion was that prosecutors need more training of this kind to familiarize themselves with tracing as an instrument for solving crime and to assure its use in practice.
This activity is implemented with the financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.
