Estonian Forensic Science Institute Sent Aid to Ukrainian Colleagues
In the early morning of September 29, the Estonian Forensic Science Institute (EFSI) sent an aid shipment to its colleagues in Kharkiv, Ukraine
A Toyota van and a trailer were sent to the Kharkiv Institute of Forensic Science, transporting laboratory equipment and supplies. The van was outfitted with all essentials to enable a forensic expert to carry out initial procedures at crime scenes. The shipment includes modern criminalistic laboratory apparatus: gas chromatographs for analysing narcotic, toxic, and explosive substances; as well as core DNA‑forensic devices — a sequencer, a real‑time PCR machine, and a thermocycler. In addition, classical criminalistics lab tools (comparison and stereo microscopes) were also sent.
In total, approximately 600 kilograms of equipment were sent to Ukraine, with an estimated value exceeding 55,000 euros. The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa Pakosta, stated that the EFSI shipment is critically important for investigating war crimes. “Collecting evidence of war crimes is extremely important for documenting them and, one day, holding perpetrators accountable. And that day must come sooner rather than later,” she said. The shipment represents yet another Estonian contribution to the modernization of forensic services in Ukraine.
Previously, EFSI organised support for the heads and experts of Ukrainian forensic institutions, enabling their participation in the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS2025) conference held in Dublin in May this year. This Europe‑wide forensic science conference is held every three years and is an important event for networking among experts and sharing current projects, research, and practices.
Ivar Prits, Director of the Estonian Forensic Science Institute, added that cooperation agreements have been established with both the Kharkiv Forensic Institute and the Independent Forensic Scientific Research Center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice. “Our colleagues in Kharkiv face exceptionally challenging conditions. We want to support their everyday work in the forensic field and also affirm that we remain their steadfast partner even during the most difficult times,” Prits explained.
The handover of the aid shipment took place on September 30 in Warsaw.