JCF boosts forensic expertise with advanced crime scene investigation training

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has strengthened its investigative capacity through specialised training designed to enhance the skills of forensic crime scene investigators (FCSIs) in modern crime-solving techniques, including the use of forensic kits, digital photography, and crime scene analysis tools.

The two-week course, held in October, was funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and developed by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF). Over 40 local participants took part in the training, which was led by Jeffrey Shearer, an experienced investigator from the Portland Police Bureau in the United States.

Shearer told The Gleaner that the focus of the training was on advanced crime scene investigation.

“The core of the class is forensic photography or crime scene photography,” he explained. “So [there are] three different modules making sure that people can go to difficult lighting scenes and get good-quality photographs to document crime scenes,” Shearer said.

He said he added a segment on bloodstain pattern analysis, combining photography with shooting incident analysis and crime scene reconstruction.

“[This includes] measuring angles – both horizontal and vertical – ... so you could reconstruct or analyse the data and determine, for example, if someone is telling you the truth when they say the bullets came from whatever direction or whatever source,” said the crime fighter of 31 years, who has delivered the similar courses in The Bahamas, Mexico and Bangladesh.

Shearer noted that the JCF requested his training after seeing his work in other countries.

“I try to teach at home and in Jamaica, and make sure that there is as much hands-on practical exercises as possible, rather than me presenting something on PowerPoint and boring them to tears. They have handbook, they have all of the PowerPoints and all of the information, so I try to make sure I just do the highlight and then it’s time to get cameras in their hands, or the angle finders or the protractors, and do the practical. The more practical, the better. People remember it longer,” Shearer said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Brown, who oversees the JCF’s Forensic Services Branch, said the training is a valuable investment in the force.

“Specifically, we are looking at the forensic crime scene investigators and how is it that they are better able to respond to the needs of managing and processing crime scenes, so any training of this regard is certainly highly beneficial,” he said.

He added that the timing of the course was ideal, coming shortly after the launch of the Forensic Services Branch in June.

“Within the Forensic Services Branch is the Forensic Intelligence and Behaviour Analysis Unit. What that unit is responsible for doing is to ensure that the behaviours – not only the bits and pieces of the crime scene – but to look at what the behaviours are of those perpetrators, and to do required due diligence to ensure that we reduce the opportunities of other persons becoming victims of those crimes,” Brown told The Gleaner.

Stacy-Ann Barnes, project coordinator at PADF, said the foundation worked closely with the police to identify training needs.

“The main goal of this project is to really build and strengthen the capacity of the police officers – the JCF – and other law-enforcement organisation as well,” Barnes said, noting that the gaps in skills were highlighted by the JCF itself.

“They indicated to us they had needs and weaknesses in certain areas, and they asked us if we could provide the training. So all the way, we are communicating with them, looking at course outline, looking at what we want to be delivered, every step of the way,” she added.

Barnes outlined both short- and long-term indicators of success for the project.

“[In the short term], we want to know that our officers are trained in the area, but we want to ensure that they are equipped in such a way that they can go back and cascade the training to others. And even to the longer term, we want to see that crime is trending down as a result of the fact that they know how to look at evidence and they are able to use that evidence to bring people to justice, to charge persons, and ensure that cases won’t get thrown out of court because of inadequate evidence. We want to see that we are doing better in that area,” Barnes said.

Kimberly Seymor-Brown, PADF project coordinator for community resilience and transformation, highlighted the broader support provided by the US Department of State INL in Jamaica.

“They also fund crime prevention through an environmental design project called the Community Resilience and Transformation Project ... . There are also two other projects – [one] seeks to build the capacity of the justice system here, called PROJAM, and another project that is aimed at reducing cybercrimes and organised crime in Jamaica. INL has demonstrated their commitment to supporting Jamaica’s capacity in several critical areas,” Seymor-Brown said.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com