To successfully investigate a terrorist crime scene, physical evidence needs to be collected, documented and correctly preserved in accordance with legal requirements. This not only requires prompt action by law enforcement, but also well-coordinated and efficient inspections of terrorist crime scenes by forensic investigators.
In the past, Tunisia has suffered from terrorist attacks. In response to this, the country adopted enhanced counterterrorism measures which included, but was not limited to, ensuring that national forensic investigators were better equipped to conduct thorough crime scene investigations.
To support these efforts, UNODC delivered a practical workshop on terrorist crime scene management and forensic investigations on 15-19 February 2021. The event brought together 15 law enforcement officers from the Salammbô Police Academy, including their forensic police, civil protection and counterterrorism units.
This activity was delivered by UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch and Regional Forensic Programme. The event is one of a series of activities on the topic which builds on the outcomes of a workshop on crime scene management and forensic investigation in urban areas which was delivered in November 2020.
These training sessions are conducted under the framework of the EU-funded UNODC regional project to strengthen criminal justice measures against foreign terrorist fighters in the Middle East, North Africa and South-Eastern Europe (2015-2021). The activities were organized in partnership with the joint programme "LIVEX Tunisia 2021" in which UNODC participates, alongside CT MENA and the UK Embassy.
