Panama: ICITAP Receives Appreciation Award from Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Institute for Supporting Development of Institute’s Forensic Disciplines

From October 5 to 6, the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Panama (IMELCF) conducted their 14th edition of IMELCF’s International Forensic Sciences Annual Conference. During the opening ceremony, IMELCF recognized the efforts of the United States Embassy in Panama, and the support received from the ICITAP-Central America Mission, as well as the support received from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) over the past five years. ICITAP and INL were recognized for the support and capacity building they have provided to the IMELCF’s ability to become an international accredited program, which includes the IMELCF Crime Scene Units, making them the only accredited units in Central and South America and becoming part of a small community of internationally accredited crime scene units in the world. The appreciation award was received by the ICITAP Regional Attaché on behalf of the ICITAP team in Central America. During the ceremony, IMELCF also recognized the important work ICITAP’s forensic advisors in Panama have played during these efforts. IMELCF’s conference took place in person after three years in virtual modality due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the main theme “Upgrade and Forensic Practice Implementation in Panama”. There were over 50 international presenters in attendance from the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia, and over 300 attendees from Panama, including from the Supreme Court, the Attorney General Office and the IMELCF. The conference covered a wide range of relevant topics, including Legal Medicine Practice in India and Japan, Staged Crime Scenes, Collision Speed Determination using vehicle black boxes, and Artificial Intelligence, among other relevant topics.