Panama: ICITAP Successfully Delivers “Crime Scene Photography Online Course” During COVID-19

On July 22, ICITAP completed its 2.5-week pilot CSI Forensic Photography course to CSI team members of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science (IMELCF).  ICITAP-Central America’s Regional Attaché addressed and congratulated the 25 forensic experts from the IMELCT, who successfully graduated from the course through ICITAP’s virtual training platform.  Participants attended from multiple locations in Panama and shared the ICITAP instructor’s expertise and knowledge while being able to attend the live sessions using desktop or mobiles devices allowing a better experience and overcoming connectivity issues derived from limited access to computers or poor internet connection.  The students acquired the basic and intermediate forensic photography concepts required to properly document any crime scene, regardless of its complexity. The participants described their experience and course topics as: “extremely relevant and useful for our daily operations.”  Students, directors and section heads expressed their great appreciation for this event while explaining that the concepts they were exposed to will help them in their CSI work and organizational planning.  They indicated that they now have a higher technical understanding of the specifications of the equipment required and how to list it out for future acquisitions.  Participants also stated that the course “expanded my knowledge of forensic photography and the camera operation and how to document crime scenes on adverse light conditions, it’s great training.” In Panama, ICITAP works with the support of and in coordination with the State Department’s Bureau of International narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).