Photo By Staff Sgt. Ruth McClary | Phoenix, Ariz., native, Sgt. Zulfikar Keskin, of the Weapons Intelligence Team, 203rd...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD — Gloved hands carefully handle little jars of powder, brushes and tape as Iraqi federal police officers expose fingerprints from makeshift bombs during crime scene training, at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Dec. 15.
Soldier from 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, hosted the training for 24 Iraqi officers of 1st Mechanized, 2nd Federal Police Brigade in an attempt to reduce contamination of evidence at improvised explosive sites.
"The purpose of this class is to [give pointers] to Iraqi federal police [on the collection of] evidence and preserving a site without contaminating it when they approach an improvised explosive crime scene," said Capt. August Melchoir, of Wilson, N.C.
Instructors, Sgt. Zulfikar Keskin and Sgt. Hiram Montalvo, both of the Weapons Intelligence Team, 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, led the officers through several scenarios on approaching crime scenes and how to determine, handle and collect evidence.
"The difference between us and [Crime Scene Investigation] back home is they have days to investigate a crime scene, but when they tell us [we are] out, we pack up our stuff and go," said Keskin. "Wearing full battle rattle makes it a little more difficult too."
Keskin, of Phoenix, Ariz., planted shrapnel among rocks and an unexploded makeshift bomb on the drive shaft of a military vehicle to observe how Iraqi officers approach and handle evidence. He gave instruction on handling small pieces of shrapnel and where to find legible fingerprints on unexploded bombs.
"Once the [explosives ordinance disposal team] clears the scene it's our job to recognize and collect the parts from the IED," said Keskin. "The information from the [blast site] is sent up, analyzed and can lead to the identification of IED cell leaders; helping in overall war-fighting here."
"That's why it is so important you don't touch anything without your gloves because your fingerprints will get on it; then everyone on the scene will have to be fingerprinted," said Montalvo, of Bronx, N.Y., as he addressed the officers.
After the evidence was properly contained they began lifting prints. Montalvo pointed out that although an individual's prints are unique, there are three main types of prints which helps officials determine a positive match.
Iraqi police officers asked several questions, making sure they understood exactly where to look for good solid prints.
"Can you get a print from a dead body?" asked one officer.
"How long does a print stay on the surface of an object?" said another officer.
Montalvo and Keskin put fingerprints on objects and the officers took turns lifting legible prints. Iraqi officer, Ahmed Kadem, asked that he not be shown where Keskin placed a print on a beaker the print, so he could discover it.
Obscuring his view, Keskin placed a print on the beaker. Kadem dusted the inner and outer surfaces failing to locate a print. They all laughed when Keskin said, "Did you check the bottom?"
Keskin, Montalvo and the officers came up with more challenging scenarios as the little brushes highlighted print after print. The officers admitted that the hands-on training will help them be more keen and alert with their approach.
"This was good training," said Maj. Hussain Ali Latef, the federal police route clearance commander. "This is the first time these [officers] have trained on [containing improvised sites and materials]."
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2009 07:28 |
| Story ID: | 42872 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 10,596 |
| Downloads: | 10,237 |
This work, CSI training gives Iraqi police an explosive edge, by SSG Ruth McClary, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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