International and local experts discuss forensic science modernization

On the 5th of December 2018 an international scientific and practical conference titled "Modernization of Forensic Science: Management, Education, Justice" took place at Narikbayev KAZGUU University as part of the World Bank's Strengthening Forensic Capacity Project. 

 

For the past two years the project commissioned by the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan has been undertaken by an international consortium consisting of Narikbayev KAZGUU University as the national lead provider, together with leading educational and private organizations in the United Kingdom specializing in forensic science as international partners -- King's College London, Key Forensic Services, and QPA Strategies.  

The conference served as a venue to reflect on two years of project work, where event participants presented the results across three key components of the project, including modernization of legal and institutional structure of forensic services, development and piloting of key performance indicators for forensic labs, and training of forensic experts from Kazakhstan. 

In his presentation opening the plenary session, Deputy Minister of Justice Zhanat Eshmagambetov noted that "the project on the one hand covered the most significant, and on the other hand the most problematic aspects of modernization of forensic services". 

The conference was attended by senior officials and representatives from across law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan, as well as international and local expert and scientific community members who in their presentations and open discussions gave positive assessment of the work done. "We are pleased to gather in Astana to review progress and share views and opinions on the forensic services reform," said Yury Bikbaev, Project Leader, who moderated the conference. "Significant work has been undertaken, but more awaits to continue with the reform agenda".