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Officers 'lack forensic basics' Officers 'lack forensic basics'
(about 7 hours later)
Many frontline police officers in Northern Ireland lack basic forensic skills, a new report has found.Many frontline police officers in Northern Ireland lack basic forensic skills, a new report has found.
Student officers entering the PSNI also regularly need retraining in the vital area of police work.Student officers entering the PSNI also regularly need retraining in the vital area of police work.
The shortcomings were highlighted in a report from Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.The shortcomings were highlighted in a report from Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
It was a follow-up to an earlier examination of scientific support services within the PSNI.It was a follow-up to an earlier examination of scientific support services within the PSNI.
The latest report, which focused on whether a total of 25 forensics-related recommednations had been put into practice, said: "Many frontline officers still lacked forensic awareness, and the training delivered so far to these members of staff had not resulted in significant improvements." The latest report, which focused on whether a total of 25 forensics-related recommendations had been put into practice, said: "Many frontline officers still lacked forensic awareness, and the training delivered so far to these members of staff had not resulted in significant improvements."
However, it went on to highlight that a five-day scientific evidence model was now included as part of the initial training programme at the PSNI College.However, it went on to highlight that a five-day scientific evidence model was now included as part of the initial training programme at the PSNI College.
'Retraining''Retraining'
The report continued that despite this development, "supervising officers stated that many new student officers required re-training in the basics on reaching their District Command Unit".The report continued that despite this development, "supervising officers stated that many new student officers required re-training in the basics on reaching their District Command Unit".
In response, a PSNI spokeswoman said the report recognised that substantial progress had been made in terms of implementing the recommendations made in 2005. In response, Superintendent Ken Henning said he believed the current training programme was sufficient.
She added: "In terms of staff training, approval has been granted for two dedicated forensic trainers who will have responsibility for the development and delivery of forensic training across the service." "I don't accept that police officers don't know what to do at a crime scene," he said.
"As a police commander in the not too distant past, I can assure people that when a crime takes place, one of the first things that happens when the initial police officer who arrives at the scene is that that scene is sealed.
"The integrity of that scene is kept until the professional crime scene investigators come along and take charge."