The Police Forensic Laboratory has received state-of-the-art equipment worth $160,000 purchased by UNDP Moldova with financial support from the U.S. Government.
The donation includes two spectrometers, including a Raman spectrometer, which is portable too, making it invaluable for crime scene investigations. It can be used to identify drugs and precursors, explosive substances and dangerous chemicals, among other things.
“It’s important that every crime is investigated thoroughly, innocent people are not held responsible, while criminals are identified and, based on conclusive evidence, brought to justice. Anyone who commits a crime must know that he or she cannot escape responsibility. Any trace, no matter how small, will lead to the identification and capture of the criminal on the basis of irrefutable evidence. The generous donation from the U.S. Government is another step that will enable the National Investigation Inspectorate to properly do its duty”, said Interior Ministry secretary Serghei Diaconu.
The other donated spectrometer, based on the FTIR technique, is stationary and can analyze both large-sized evidence as well as micro-traces such as fibers, varnishes, and paints, from a car crash scene, for instance. Another donated device – a highly sensitive microanalytical balance – allows analysis of even minuscule quantities of substances, with up to six decimal places accuracy.
“We are confident that the equipment here today, and the accompanying training we are providing, will bolster the capacities of the Police Forensic Lab and, more importantly, strengthen Moldova’s criminal justice system. Of course, proper equipment makes a difference, but the hard work and dedication of Moldovan law enforcement personnel is the most important factor,” said Brett Rose, Director of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement of the U.S. Embassy to Moldova.
The donation is part of the “Support to Law Enforcement Reform in Moldova” Project, implemented by the UNDP with the financial support of the U.S. Government.
