The State Forensic Examination Committee has received 15 new drones this week. The new equipment appeared thanks to the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme «Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus 2014-2020». It is implemented within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Instrument, which is funded by the European Union. The main objective of the project is to increase security in the neighbouring countries the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Belarus and to increase the effectiveness of investigation in large areas.

«We have started implementing the project “New forensic technologies for crime scene investigation and ensuring public security”, told the Head of the General Directorate of Forensic Examination of the Central Office of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus Colonel of Justice Andrei Rashchupkin. “Our partner is the Lithuanian Police Forensic Science Centre”.

Duration of the project is 21 months, its budget is 850 091,23 Euro. The European Union funding is 765 082,10 Euro (1 794 423,56 Belarusian rubles).

The new equipment will be used not only in the capital, but also in the Minsk, Vitebsk and Grodno regions. Drones are assigned a very important mission – assistance during the inspection of the scene of man-made and natural accidents, road accidents, and search for people in the woods. Each drone is equipped with photo and video equipment that will allow accurately describe the scene of the accident. And in turn this will significantly help in the investigation of criminal cases.

“Equipment that is purchased in Belarus is also purchased in Lithuania. It will be fully compatible. This will help to conduct joint inspections of the scene and to clarify all the circumstances of the crime in the border areas”, notes Andrei Rashchupkin.

This is the first experience of using drones by forensic experts. However, our neighbours have recently adopted similar structures. Therefore, there is no significant lag in this regard.

This is not the end of the improvement of the equipment. Soon the specialists of the State Forensic Examination Committee will have 3D scanners and portable forensic laboratory that will be equipped with all the necessary devices for working on the scene.

Attention. This article was prepared with financial assistance from the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the State Forensic Examination Committee and don’t reflect the official position of the European Union.