Summary

The project aims at improving the Montenegro Police Directorate's crime scene investigation capacities and laboratory investigations of the Forensic Centre intended for providing forensic evidence and intelligence necessary for investigating and judicial processing the trafficking of firearms, their ammunition, explosives, and precursors, as well as other firearms- and explosives-related criminal offenses, including the sexual and gender-based violence. Improved institutional capabilities to provide specific evidence and intelligence shall serve the national criminal proceeding system and international cooperation in investigations and criminal proceedings. The project is doing it by procuring equipment, delivering training, developing, and validating new methods, and developing standard operating procedures. The focus is on standardizing work processes in accordance with the policy and recommendations of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes and preparing for accreditation in line with ISO/IEC 17025 and 17020 international standards. This implies the implementation of project standardization results in the regulatory framework of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, providing project sustainability.

Background

According to the SALW Strategy and SOCTA 2021, a significant part of various firearms, ammunition, and explosive ordnance originating from the former Yugoslavia conflict remained in the possession of civilians in Montenegro. Despite the security sector authorities making additional efforts to reduce the number of firearms in illegal custody, there are still significant amounts of weapons in Montenegro, and members of criminal groups can still obtain them without substantial obstacles. In addition to firearms, a high-security risk is also the use of improvised explosive devices with extreme destructive power. By combining specific statistical indicators provided in the UNDP/SEESAC publications till the launching of the project, it was concluded that there is a strong correlation between firearms holding and domestic violence. In the context of domestic violence, a gun represents an extraordinarily aggravating circumstance for the victim and for the undertaking of whatever activity to stop the violence, but at the same time, an instrument for keeping the traditional behaviour patterns and distribution of roles within the family. Also, 43% of Montenegrin women considered guns a danger to their families. Advanced forensic performance contributes to suppressing FAE-related crime and hereby influences the SALW-control process. It also helps solve SGBV-violence cases successfully.