The International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) provides technical assistance and training in many countries around the world in the field of forensics. "Forensics" refers to the application of science to the law. ICITAP's Forensic Services programs support:

• training and technical assistance to forensic specialists, investigators, and prosecutors in topics including DNA analysis, expert witness development, odontology, pathology, physical anthropology, behavioral science, questioned documents, toxicology, forensic nursing, crime scene processing, forensic photography, computer evidence, and forensic accounting
• professional development and mentoring of forensic laboratory managers
• improvements in the quality of forensic services and facilities available to the criminal justice community through equipment donations and technical assistance
• development of quality management systems—including policies and procedures, and technical and training manuals—to help laboratories attain accreditation according to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization

ICITAP's programs in the field of forensics are primarily funded by the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Learn more about ICITAP's programs in the forensics field (view the Forensics Assistance fact sheet )

Current Programs

Bulgaria
ICITAP is assisting the Bulgarian forensic laboratory system in its efforts to achieve full accreditation under standards established by the International Organization for Standardization. Since ICITAP’s assistance program began, Bulgaria's primary forensic laboratory, the Research Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (RIFSC), has become a full member of the European Network of Forensic Sciences Institute. Subsequently, ICITAP installed a Laboratory Information Management System in the RIFSC to track chain of custody of evidence, as required for international accreditation. Through equipment donations, ICITAP is helping to improve forensic capabilities in 28 regional laboratories throughout Bulgaria.

Colombia
ICITAP has had a major impact on enhancing the forensic capabilities of Colombia's law enforcement agencies through a variety of assistance, including the donation of identification systems for DNA, firearms, fingerprints, and document imaging. These secure, wireless networks enable Colombia's scientists to build databases, exchange information, and compare forensic evidence. In partnership with the Department of Defense, ICITAP is also conducting forensic anthropology "dig schools" for investigators, prosecutors, and forensic professionals. This program is increasing the capacity of forensic laboratories to use DNA evidence to identify victims in mass graves—and to recover and process other evidence from mass graves—that will assist the Colombians in prosecuting members of paramilitary groups who were responsible for mass murders. In another project, ICITAP is training scientists and prosecutors in providing expert witness testimony and presenting demonstrative evidence.

Indonesia
ICITAP’s forensics program in Indonesia began in 2004 with the assessment of the National Police Forensic System’s laboratory in Surabaya. Since then ICITAP has assisted in developing the DNA Laboratory in Surabaya and worked closely with laboratory directors to develop standard operating procedures that meet international standards. ICITAP has also made several equipment donations and provided technical assistance and training to more than 2,000 professionals—including police officers and laboratory staff.  

Iraq
Since 2007, ICITAP has assisted the Iraq Ministry of Interior in establishing a National Criminal Evidence Laboratory System. It consists of three primary operational laboratories nationwide and a forensics teaching laboratory at the Baghdad Police College. ICITAP has provided training in DNA and laboratory management, and has worked closely with international partners.

Kenya
In support of the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative, ICITAP’s forensic assistance in Kenya focuses on forensic nursing and crime scene investigation.

Kosovo
ICITAP helped authorities build and staff a new forensic laboratory in Priština. By 2006, 40 forensics professionals—including forensic scientists specializing in serology/DNA, drug chemistry, fingerprints, questioned documents, firearms, and quality assurance—were working in the laboratory.

Moldova
ICITAP will provide assistance to the cybercrimes section of the Moldovan Ministry of Interior and assist in creating a forensic section dedicated to the examination of digital evidence.

Morocco
ICITAP conducted an assessment of the Royal Gendarmerie Laboratory and the National Police Laboratory in Morocco. ICITAP will provide training and technical assistance to aid both laboratories’ pursuit of international accreditation.

Tajikistan
ICITAP provided the Ministry of Internal Affairs forensic laboratory technical assistance and material support to fight narcotics trafficking. ICITAP renovated the laboratory space, updated the electrical system, and donated a gas chromatograph and an infrared spectrophotometer to the laboratory. ICITAP provided technical instruction on the operation of the instruments and quality assurance procedures on narcotics analysis. ICITAP also provided a significant upgrade to the electronic fingerprint database, which will allow Tajikistan to share information with the international community.

Turkmenistan
ICITAP's forensic development program in Turkmenistan focuses on drug analysis and laboratory management procedures, including quality assurance. ICITAP donated a gas chromatograph with a mass selective detector and other instruments to identify drugs, and the Drug Enforcement Agency partnered with ICITAP in providing technical assistance on the use of the instruments.

Uganda
ICITAP provided technical assistance and training to Uganda in crime scene forensics, fingerprint enhancement, questioned documents, forensic pathology, and forensic autopsy examinations. ICITAP also worked with Ugandan laboratory managers to develop policies and procedures, quality assurance, and laboratory safety and security protocols. ICITAP continues to provide training in questioned documents.

Ukraine
ICITAP's work supports Ukraine's efforts to secure accreditation of its forensics center under international standards. This work included bringing the Ukrainians to the United States to observe internal audits at accredited forensic laboratories. ICITAP provided advanced training in Ukraine on computer forensics and DNA analysis topics, including procedures for interpreting mixed DNA results.  ICITAP also provides training in the current generation of computer forensics, and quality assurance policies and procedures.

Uzbekistan
ICITAP’s assistance to the Ministry of Health National Laboratory is addressing equipment needs, evidence collection and handling, quality assurance, physical security at the laboratory, and technical assistance in toxicology and forensic biology. ICITAP has coordinated forensic conferences in Uzbekistan, as well as sponsored Uzbek participants at international conferences.

Past Programs

Senegal
ICITAP's technical assistance in Senegal focused on drug identification. ICITAP also provided training on management, safety techniques, security, and quality assurance to professionals in the police forensic laboratory.

Thailand
ICITAP conducted an assessment of two of Thailand's key forensic laboratories, and provided training in questioned documents, gunshot residue, and explosive residue analysis.