Sharing Expertise: An example of trans-European co-operation in Forensic Science

The EDUFORMAK ProjectA contribution from the universities of Ss Cyril & Methodius, Skopje,

Nottingham Trent, Jagiellonian, Krakow & Forensic Research Institute, Krakow

PRESENTER:

Raymond G Wallace, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, UK

AUTHORS:

David Butler, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, UK

Pawel Koscielniak, Analytical Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Mimoza Ristova, Physics Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Skopje, Macedonia

Raymond G Wallace, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, UK

Janina Zieba-Palus, Criminalistics Department, Forensic Research Institute, Krakow, Poland

a Tempus Joint European Project

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Creation of a Graduate Educational System in Forensic Studies in the

Republic of Macedonia

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

• Break up of Yugoslavia, Republic of Macedonia becomes an independent state

• Turbulent developments in Balkan region, transformation of socio-economic systems, unfulfilled aspects of daily lives sees growth in crime rate

• During the last 15 or so years, the criminal activities in the Republic of Macedonia have increase enormously– smuggling of goods, arms and tobacco– trafficking in human beings with women a particular target– economic crimes

• The rate of the unresolved criminal cases shows a constant rise

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

• For instance, President Kiro Gligorov's assassination (1995) remains unresolved; the war crimes that were committed during the Albanian's insurgency in 2001 are still not proven, because of the lack of material evidence and forensic expertise; not to mention hundreds of others in which the victims were ordinary people.

• Other indicators of the lack appropriate forensic related expertise to enforce the law are seen in– Organised crime and money laundering related to essentially a cash-based

economy– Environmental laws that are frequently severely violated, the environment often

being heavily polluted– Republic of Macedonia is also known to be at the bottom of the European list for

a foreign investments, mainly because it is known in the world of business, as an investment spot with a high risk because of crime

• In the context of integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union internal security has to be addressed

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

• In particular security needs to be reinforced – crime has a destabilising effect on the entire social and political society of the Republic of Macedonia as a whole

• Government has shown formal commitment and determination in the fight against crime

• However there is no definite strategy and progress in combating illegal activities

• Some co-operation with Croatia & UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on co-operation in the fight against organised crime proposed by Macedonia

• The current governmental aim is to establish regulations for prevention of organised crime and other serious forms of crime

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

• Additional it seeks to harmonise domestic legislation with the legislation of the European Union

• Nevertheless, there is a gap between the education system in forensic science and the needs of the juridical system

• To support these objectives there is a real need to establish co-operation between the police, prosecutors, judges and forensic experts in fighting and preventing organized crime and illegal activities

• This co-operation could be facilitated by the introduction of an educational system in the forensic sciences which could enhance the functions of prosecution and law enforcement

a Tempus Joint European Project

PUTTING A PLAN INTO ACTION TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES

The birth of the EDUFORMAK PROJECT

Time line

• In the late autumn of 2006 a Tempus application led by Prof Pawel Koscielniak of the Faculty Chemistry, Jagiellonian University under the title EDUCATION SYSTEM IN FORENSIC SCIENCES FOR THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (EDUFORMAK) was submitted to the European Commission

• The consortium comprised four partners :- the universities of Ss Cyril & Methodius, Skopje, where a Masters course in Forensics was to be developed; Nottingham Trent where there was an established undergraduate programme in Forensic Science; Jagiellonian, Krakow where courses in Forensic Toxicology and Criminalistics were offered and the Forensic Research Institute, Krakow

• The project was accepted for funding and work began essentially one year later

a Tempus Joint European Project

THE PROJECT ITSELF

Setting up a Graduate Educational System in Forensic

Studies:

A Masters Course in Forensics at Skopje University

Stages of the Project

• Stage 1 –identification of needs and requirements– Meeting held at the University of Skopje in November 2007

• Stage 2 – training and development of ideas– Meeting held at Nottingham Trent University in February 2008 followed

immediately by a meeting in Krakow

• Stage 3 – review of progress and developments (prior to anticipated launch of the Masters programme in the autumn)– Meeting to be held in Macedonia in September

Important features of the Project

• Approximately one third of the total budget is being used to aid modernisation and equipping of the laboratories of Skopje University for forensic practical courses

• Module syllabi are being written in conjunction with all partners in order to deliver a sound, vibrant and up-to-date course

• The course will be accredited by the relevant educational authorities in the Republic of Macedonia

• Translation of selected material into Macedonian and publishing it in Macedonian is scheduled

• The course will be a 1 year 60 ECTS credits, post 4 year Bachelor, modular MSc in Forensic Sciences

• Students have already shown keen interest in the course

Modules developed to date

• Ballistics and firearms

• Sound and forensic audio

• Photography and Forensic Image Processing

• Physico-chemical analysis of traces

• Drugs analysis

• Forensic chemistry

• Forensic DNA analysis

• Molecular genetics

• Topics in forensic biology

• Statistical and IT methods in forensics

• Forensic medicine

• Forensic criminalistics

• Legal system and legal issues in criminal justice in the Republic of Macedonia

• Crime scene investigation

Termpus CD_JEP-41105-2006(MK) EDUCATION SYSTEM IN FORENSIC SCIENCES FOR THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

FIRST SEMESTER (PHYSICS + CHEMISTRY + BIOLOGY) A1.Legal System and Legal issues in the Criminal Justice of the R. Macedonia (4 cp)

A2. Crime Scene Investigation (7 cp)

A3. Forensic Criminalistics (7 cp)

A4. Statistical and IT Methods in Forensics (4 cp)

A5. Forensic Medicine (4 cp)

SECOND SEMESTER

FORENSIC PHYSICS FORENSIC CHEMISTRY FORENSIC BIOLOGY

P1. Forensic Image processing - (6 cp)

P2. Sound and Forensic Audio (6 cp)

P3. Ballistics and Firearms (6 cp)

1. Elective ( 6 cp)

C1. Forensic Chemistry (6 cp)

C2. Drugs analysis (5 cp)

C3. Physico-chemical analysis of traces (7 cp).

1. Elective (6 cp)

B1. Topics in Forensic Biology (6 cp)

B2. Molecular Genetics (5 cp)

B3. Forensic DNA Analysis (5 cp)

1. Elective (4 cp)

2. Elective (4 cp)

Specialist Work (10 cp)

Masters Degree in Forensic Sciences Course Structure