International projects
1. February 2010
Pursuant to the framework contract of the Estonian-Swiss cooperation programme, the Estonian Forensic Science Institute will receive a grant in the amount of 3,500,000 Swiss francs (approximately 35 million kroons) for capacity enhancement in the areas of forensic science and pre-trial procedures.
The project ‘Measures for securing borders – Capacity enhancement in various areas of forensic science and pre-trial procedures to prevent crimes and the capacity of emergency response’ will be implemented in 3 years. It is planned to purchase a computer tomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an electron microscope with an X-ray analyser, a forensic information system and portable field expertise equipment for the Estonian Forensic Science Institute within the scope of the project.
Computer tomography and MRI equipment allow experts to obtain objective information, preserve it and consult other experts and specialists if necessary; to obtain the information necessary for identification of persons; to document pathological findings better, use them more efficiently in determining the cause of death and in ascertaining trauma mechanisms. An electron microscope can be used to study cases associated with fires and explosives. A forensic information system improves the organisation of work by making processes inside the Institute more systematic and transparent and contributes to faster information exchange with Schengen and PRÜM states. Portable field expertise equipment makes it possible to collect evidence of better quality from the scenes of events.
A forensic pathologist and expert from the Estonian Forensic Science Institute practised in the Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization in Linköping, Sweden.
The Estonian Forensic Science Institute’s forensic pathologist and expert, Vitali Vassiljev, practised in the Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization in Linköping, Sweden from 3 May 2009 to 30 May 2009. The training was funded from the European Union project ‘Training and development of public servants, employees of local governments and non-profit organisations’ (project no. 1.5.0304.08-0037, duration from 1 September 2008 to 31 July 2009).
The objective of the project was to study the contemporary possibilities and needs for conducting radiological examinations (computer and magnetic tomography) in forensic medicine. Similar examinations will be done in Estonia from the fourth quarter of 2010.
Forensic radiological examination is required in the investigation of wounds caused by firearms, traffic accidents, cases of handing, sudden death and abuse of children and people who have died as a result of suspected medical errors. Use of forensic radiological examination also provides important information for identification of people.
Use of new examinations is important in ascertaining the cause and manner of death more accurately, which in its turn will help to improve the quality of investigation procedures.
The project of the Estonian Forensic Science Institute ‘Raising the knowledge of personnel by study visits to forensic institutes in Finland and Sweden' is supported within the scope of the Nordic-Baltic Public Administration Mobility Programme of the Nordic Council of Ministers with 102,800 kroons (the total volume of the project is approximately 147,000 kroons). The purpose of the project is to visit different expertise institutions and to create contacts with their Fingerprint, IT and Chemistry Departments. The visits should provide an overview of their organisation of work, the methods and equipment used, the way experts are trained, etc. It will also create the opportunity to exchange experience and look into possibilities for joint projects. The project will be carried out from the fourth quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010.
The project ‘Establishing the international online functionality of the existing Estonian AFIS according to Council Decision 2008/615/JHA’ will be financed within the scope of the programme for prevention of and fight against crime (ISEC) created by the European Commission. The total volume of the project is approximately 10 million kroons: 7 million of this is covered with the grant and 3 million kroons will be financed by the EFSI itself. As a result of the project, the existing AFIS will be developed in order to guarantee automated data exchange that complies with the requirements set out in EC decision no. 2008/615/JSK. Implementation of the decision requires guaranteeing that reference data exist in the automated fingerprint system created for prevention and investigation of crimes. The reference data may not contain data that allow for direct identification of the data subject. Reference data that cannot be connected to any individuals (that are unidentifiable) must be marked as such. The project will be carried out from October 2009 to February 2012.
