Digital forensics focus of seventh regional conference, supported by OSCE Mission to Montenegro

Forensic centres in the Western Balkans have committed to use OSCE best practices in development of handbooks to further improve regional co-operation and help countries meet international standards in the exchange of forensic data.

This was a conclusion from the seventh regional conference of forensic centres, organized by the Forensic Centre of Montenegro, supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, on 20 and 21 October in Budva.

Around 15 experts and heads of forensic laboratories from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia participated in the conference that focused on practical application of information technologies in digital forensics.

The event was an opportunity for Otabek Rashidov, Programme Officer in the OSCE Secretariat’s Action against Terrorism Unit, to present the training materials on Requesting E-evidence Across Borders, developed by the OSCE and UNODC and other international organizations based on the related Practical Guide. Participants agreed that the document can serve as an example for the countries of the Western Balkan region to develop a regional handbook for working with digital evidence, as well as instructions for the regional exchange of forensic data.

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the Mission, stated that the OSCE is strongly committed to support intelligence-led policing, in particular in the fight against organized crime and in promoting regional co-operation. “Since 2008, the OSCE Mission has been a partner and active supporter of the Forensic Centre, which, through its concerted efforts has evolved into a regional hub. Active co-operation and networking is crucial, as transnational crime does not recognise borders. Forensic investigations play an increasingly important role in securing hard evidence in establishing proof beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal trials,” said Leirtroe.

Aleksandar Ivanović, Director of the Forensic Centre and member of the board of the European Association of Forensic Science Institutions, said that regional co-operation in forensic examination, research, analysis and expertise is crucial not only for the work of the police and the judiciary, but also for states themselves. “The aim of this conference is for the countries of the region to harmonize their forensic procedures when investigating and solving crime, especially in relation to technological crime,” said Ivanović.

One of the expected outcomes of the seventh regional forensic conference is for the respective forensic institutions in the region to sign an agreement on co-operation.