Vienna (Austria), 17 June 2024 – Crime scene investigations are pivotal in the pursuit of justice. The meticulous documentation and collection of relevant physical evidence can sometimes make all the difference in the outcome of a case.
However, when working at crime scenes involving synthetic drugs, investigators may confront distinct challenges, such the risk of contamination from hazardous substances or heightened security risks.
To address these complexities, the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy has launched a new module on Crime Scene Investigations in the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs.
This module is specifically designed to equip law enforcement officers, forensic investigators, and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively handle crime scenes involving synthetic drugs.
By equipping professionals with these resources, UNODC aims to bolster their confidence and competence in managing synthetic drug-related crime scenes effectively.
It features three comprehensive segments tailored to different phases of crime scene management.
The first segment addresses the pre-investigation phase, providing insights into various scenarios professionals may encounter. These range from the discovery of synthetic drug precursors in clandestine laboratories to responding to fatal overdoses in public spaces. By understanding these diverse situations, investigators can better anticipate challenges and plan their responses accordingly.
The second segment delves into effective crime scene management, featuring guidance on initial response protocols, securing and isolating the scene, and implementing safety measures to protect first responders and investigators.
The third segment focuses on the meticulous process of evidence collection at crime scenes involving synthetic drugs. It offers resources to identify and handle evidence, along with best practices for documentation to uphold the integrity of evidence in legal proceedings. It emphasizes the importance of precision and adherence to protocols to avoid contamination and ensure that evidence collected is robust and can stand up in court.
To learn about the practical applications of the tools in the Crime Scene Investigations module, register for a live demonstration on Tuesday, July 2 at 9 AM CET or Wednesday, July 3 at 4 PM CET. The demonstrations are open to participants across sectors. Additionally, members of the Toolkit Community may also request a custom demonstration of this or any module at any time.
The UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs contains over 400 cross-cutting tools and resources from across the UN system to help respond to the challenges posed by synthetic drugs. It can be accessed at https://syntheticdrugs.unodc.org/toolkit
