BABIL PRT WORKSHOPS DEMONSTRATE VALUE OF FORENSIC

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000340 SIPDIS DEPT PLS PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI IZ SUBJECT: BABIL PRT WORKSHOPS DEMONSTRATE VALUE OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE IN SOLVING CRIMES ¶1. This is a Babil PRT cable. ¶2. Summary: The Babil PRT held two forensic workshops with local provincial judges, investigators, and journalists at FOB Kalsu in December 2009 and January 2010. The workshops included a walk-through of the Army Crime Lab at FOB Kalsu, briefings on the effectiveness of forensic evidence in criminal investigations and trials, and a review of current conditions at the Al Hillah Crime Lab. Working with contacts in the local legal system, PRT Babil ROL Team identified the need to educate judges, Iraqi Police (IP) and journalists about the effectiveness of forensic evidence in identifying criminals and bringing them to justice. End summary. 3/3 BRIGADE CRIMINAL TASK FORCE RICH IN INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIENCE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. On December 15, 2009, the PRT co-sponsored a forensics workshop with 3/3 Brigade's Criminal Task Force (CTF). That team includes a former FBI agent who has investigated high profile crimes. The PRT sought and obtained local judicial buy-in before planning the workshop. More than 30 judges and police investigators attended. A local reporter attended in an &on background8 basis. The workshop began with a briefing from the Army Crime Lab about the training they provided to their Iraqi counterparts and included a tour of the facility. The training helped local fingerprint examiners meet internationally accepted standards of competence. ¶4. The former FBI agent also gave a two-hour presentation of the investigation of the Polly Klaas case. He discussed how the case was investigated and the key role that forensic evidence played in determining the criminal,s identity and proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The workshop concluded with a presentation from the Director of the Al Hillah Crime Lab. He discussed the lab,s capabilities and answered questions from the judges about the lab,s operation. He concluded with a request from the judges to increase their utilization of lab services. BABIL CHIEF JUDGE AND PROSECUTING JUDGE CALL FOR MORE WORKSHOPS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. Immediately after the workshop, PRT Rule of Law Advisor and Prosecuting Judge (PJ) Mohaned Al Dulami discussed the possibility of additional training sessions. Al Dulami asked that an additional session be scheduled in the spring. Provincial Chief Judge Diya,a Omran also requested another workshop. He said the workshop was so successful in opening eyes to the effectiveness and utility of forensic evidence that an earlier session was needed to capitalize on the intellectual momentum of the first workshop. The Brigade and PRT scheduled and conducted a second session on January 5, ¶2010. Brigade CTF told the ROLA that after the workshops he received requests that he repeat his presentation to judges and investigators in Najaf and Wasit. COMMENT - - - - ¶6. Comment: These workshops were a start to a necessary educational effort for police, investigators and all types of judges in Babil province. Practical exercises like this allow trainees to gain first-hand experience utilizing their classroom skills in a controlled environment. Additionally, journalists are a powerful force in creating an environment of change in the system. They have the unique ability to publicize the efficiency of these tools in proving guilt, and the lack of utilization of the tools in actual cases where the capability for their use exists. This can create a demand from average citizens for a more open and effective Qdemand from average citizens for a more open and effective justice system. End comment. HILL