NCJ Number
238916
Date Published
February 2012
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report from the U.N. Economic and Social Council presents an update on the work undertaken by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime regarding international cooperation in the field of forensics.
Abstract
This report was presented to the U.N. Economic and Social Council's Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice's 21 session held in Vienna in April 2012. The report details the work undertaken by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regarding international cooperation in the field of forensics. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice developed resolution 19/5 that calls for international cooperation in the forensic field through the following: encouragement and support for forensic science institutions to actively participate in regional networks to develop sustainable forensic services worldwide; exploration of innovative ways to ensure a more effective exchange of forensic expertise and information on a worldwide basis; and promotion of development and modernization of national forensic laboratories, including education and training. This report presents the work of UNODC regarding partnerships among regional networks, support to regional networks, collaboration on technical assistance in the field of forensic science, implementation of 'twinning' programs, exploring areas of support to forensics more generally, and challenges to ensuring access to quality forensic services that include awareness of the forensic process, the existence of appropriate infrastructure, internationally accepted standards, and the existence of expertise, resources, and commitment to continuous improvement.