UNODC Promotes Inter-Agency Coordination on Forensics in Turkmenistan

The meeting featured updates from the Central Forensic Bureau of Turkmenistan under the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry and a presentation of the training and capacity building program currently implemented by UNODC to create a pool qualified experts in the country and develop the quality management system for Turkmenistan’s forensic laboratories.

“This year staff from Turkmenistan’s forensic laboratories have completed an intensive training programme to strengthen their professional expertise and skills, based on the results of a needs assessment exercise previously conducted by UNODC”, said Mr. Koen Marquering, Manager of UNODC’s Criminal Justice Program in Central Asia.

Experts from UNODC’s Laboratory and Scientific Service presented available global tools and services, including the International Collaborative Exercises (ICE) Program, which enables forensic laboratories from all over the world to continuously monitor and improve their performance in drug testing. Turkmenistan joined the ICE Program in 2020.

“With our expert support, Turkmenistan’s forensic laboratories are currently developing their quality management systems. This isone of the key requirements to apply for international accreditation”, Koen Marquering noted.

During the meeting, Turkmen forensic experts exchanged experiences on preparing for accreditation with a representative from the National Centre of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan and learned about psycho-linguistic and religious expertise in terrorism and extremism related cases based on a case study from Kyrgyzstan.

UNODC is supporting national efforts to strengthen forensic services in Turkmenistan with support from the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.