October 2024. In an effort to strengthen forensic ballistics capabilities across the Caribbean, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) undertook two webinars aimed at bolstering firearms examination and forensic ballistics competencies among police officers and forensic experts from Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The two webinars form part of the twelve month “Operational Forensic Ballistics” capacity building programme for both States and took place in October. A total of 12 participants, including police officers, forensic scientist, military personnel and firearms experts, took part in both sessions. The webinars and the wider Operational Forensics Ballistics assistance programme are funded by the Government of Canada.
The first webinar focused on Introduction to Firearms Examination, providing participants with a foundational understanding of ballistics, safety procedures at crime scenes and laboratories and the principles of forensic ballistics investigations among other topics. The second webinar introduced participants to Comparison Microscopy, which is vital for firearms and ammunition examination, comparison, and establishing (or disproving) connections between firearms, ammunition and crime scenes.
The overall objective of the webinar series was to enhance the knowledge and skills of personnel involved in forensic firearms investigations. To this end, the webinars aimed to familiarise participants with the various methods used in forensic ballistics, firearm examinations; reinforce the importance of safety protocols in forensic investigations; and introduce forensic ballistic identification techniques, especially through the use of comparison microscopy.
The programme will continue in the coming months, with further training, equipment provision, and operational support. This initiative is part of UNLIREC’s technical assistance to Caribbean States, aimed at strengthening the expertise of firearms examiners.
The training aligns with the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, particularly Goal 3: Bolstering law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms trafficking. It also supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Target 16.4 on reducing illicit arms flows.
UNLIREC remains committed to providing Caribbean States with the tools and expertise needed to combat firearms-related crime and enhance public safety.