THE Department of Justice has rolled out a forensic training program for its prosecutors to equip them with the necessary skills while fostering stronger collaboration between the prosecution and law enforcement agencies in the investigation of crimes.
The training program, which started last September 30 and ended on October 3, was attended by state prosecutors and forensic experts from the National Bureau of Investigation.
The US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the International Development Law Organization supported the training program as part of their efforts to capacitate DOJ prosecutors.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the prosecutors were trained in crime scene investigation, behavioral science, photography and multimedia, firearms and ballistics, chemistry, and medico-legal. Biology and digital forensics.
“The learning activities were designed not only to equip the prosecutors with working knowledge on forensics and hone critical thinking skills but also to foster stronger collaboration between the prosecution and law enforcement agencies of the government, including forensic experts,” Remulla said.
Remulla also underscored the importance of forensics in building up cases and their resolution.
“Forensics is undeniably the cornerstone of justice, it being the very basis of concrete, real and credible evidence necessary in the quest for justice. In our modern era today where justice must be delivered without delay yet impartial, a deep understanding of forensics would indeed be indispensable for our very own prosecutors,” he added.
Last year, Remulla said the DOJ was working with the office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz to come up with a forensic program to enhance the capacity of government doctors and law enforcement authorities, especially in probing cases of “wrongful deaths.”
