Embassy of the United States

2008 Press Releases

FBI Provides Forensic Training for Georgian Law Enforcement

November 13, 2008

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL), U.S. Department of State, is sponsoring a 3-week train-the-trainers course for Georgian criminal evidence collection teams - "criminalists" - from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Three special agents from the FBI are conducting this course in Tbilisi at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Police Academy from November 3-21, 2008.

On Thursday November 12, the Georgian criminalists will be required to complete a practical exercise at a mock crime scene to test their proficiency in the new skills they have learned - this includes forensic photography and sketching, collection of fingerprints, hair, fiber, biological material, and weapons.   Next week, the Georgians will teach these new techniques back to the FBI instructors and their classmates, so that they are well-prepared to pass their knowledge on to their colleagues in the field.  

In addition to providing the training, INL has provided over $30,000 in equipment for the course and for future use by the Georgian evidence teams. This training is significant and timely given Georgia's impending adoption of a new Criminal Procedure Code, and the introduction of a jury trial system on a pilot basis. Under this system, proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as determined by a jury, will decide an accused person's fate.  The U.S. Embassy is proud to support this training opportunity to bolster the professional skills of Georgian law enforcement.