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Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 06, 2018 (RSCNPF): A nine-member cohort is currently taking part in a Crime Scene Investigators Course which officially began on Monday, January 05, 2018. It is being hosted by the Forensic Department of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Headquarters. The six-week course will be facilitated by the Head of the Forensic Department at the RSCNPF, Narace Ramnarine, and Nigel Bedeau who also works in Forensics in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

The group is a mix of Police Officers and civilians. The aim of the course is to train individuals to become Crime Scene Investigators by providing them with the requisite knowledge base, skills and opportunity to be able to perform their roles effectively and efficiently.  According to Mr. Ramnarine, in order to be effective, the Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) needed to be able to make reliable and accountable decisions, often under pressure or in challenging circumstances.

 

“The course will cover four main areas of study critical to the operation of a CSI. A brief outlook into the judicial system and the presentation of evidence before a court is also added to the course for the overall benefit of the participant,” Mr. Ramnarine explained.

 

The main areas of study are: principles of digital photography; the systematic examination of crime scenes in relation to searching and recovering forensic and tracing evidence; principles of crime scene management; the systematic examination of crime scenes in relation to searching and recovering fingerprint evidence; and principles of courtroom skills to prepare the individual to present cogent evidence before the court. The programme also encompasses how to act effectively both as an individual and as a team member, as well as how to operate using a code of ethical behaviour and accountability. The course is accredited by the College of Policing of the United Kingdom and the National Training Agency of Trinidad and Tobago.

 

At a brief opening ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hilroy Brandy, told the participants that each crime scene was unique and each case presented its own set of challenges.

 

“With this critical training our Force will be able to process and analyse crime scene findings more effectively, leading to greater detection and convictions [which are] supported by solid and indisputable evidence,” Deputy Commissioner Brandy said.

 

The Course was officially declared open by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Osmond Petty.