Throughout the four-day event, participants actively engaged in the sessions, sharing their experiences and gaining insights from experts representing Interpol, the Technical Expert Group of the German armed forces, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The discussions focused on recent developments in the use of IEDs by terrorist and violent extremist groups. Presentations covered IED components, supply chains, and detection methods. Additionally, the dialogue delved into the judicialization process, evidence collection, and coordination among actors in remote areas. The training activities contained a strong practical component to showcase the management of a crime scene involving a non-exploding IED and how to respond to a terrorist crime scene involving the use of IEDs.
Feedback from the workshop was positive, with participants expressing a strong interest in additional follow-up training. They highlighted the importance of continuing to raise awareness about IEDs among the general population and extending these efforts to include coastal countries. The format of the workshop was particularly commended for fostering a shared understanding of the threat, facilitating the exchange of good practices and information.
Considering the growing threat emerging from the use of IEDs by terrorist groups and the need to continuously acquire knowledge and capacity on detecting them and better understanding their components, participants acknowledged the critical need for similar training in the future. They emphasized the challenges in articulating and implementing judicial processes, particularly the need for standardized scientific police materials across the three countries. Recognizing the importance of enhancing internal coordination among investigative and judiciary stakeholders, the workshop underscored the importance of establishing effective coordination mechanisms within each country.
The activity was funded by the government of Japan.
