Fighting Eagles train Maysan Police in criminal investigation procedures

Courtesy Photo | Local judges explain the importance of evidence collection in criminal prosecution to members of the Maysan Provincial Iraqi Police. (Photos by 2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Schmidt)  

CAMP GARRY OWEN, IRAQ

10.09.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by 2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Schmidt

CAMP GARRY OWEN, Iraq – The Fighting Eagles Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division recently trained students at the Maysan Province Iraqi Police Academy in Al Amarah in the basics of secure site exploitation and crime scene investigation techniques.

The training was organized and supervised by Civilian Police Training Team advisor Jim McElreath, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and conducted by Sgt. Ben Cannon, of St. Cloud, Minn., team leader in Company B, and Staff Sgt. Justin Borders, of Polson, Mont., squad leader in Company B.

This event was part of an ongoing training program conducted with and through the Maysan Police Academy to help improve the ability of local police to collect and secure evidence to be used in the prosecution and detention of criminals and terrorists.

CSI TRAINING
“The purpose of the training is to teach and encourage the Iraqi Police to both preserve the integrity of crime scenes and learn to look past what may seem obvious. We want them to analyze evidence, not make decisions based on the face value of the crime scene,” said Borders.

The training consisted of having the police secure and evaluate a staged crime scene that was made to look like an obvious suicide. However, if investigated properly, the evidence would prove that it was a murder.

The intent was to allow the police to approach the crime scene as if it were a real-life scenario, cordon the site, collect evidence, and analyze what they found.

The trainers would then evaluate and critique the trainees’ performance based on how well they were able to preserve the scene, collect and store the evidence, and decipher how the evidence supported the crime.

The training received positive feedback from both the trainees and the U.S. forces that helped conduct it.

“I’m glad we were able to help the IPs by teaching them some techniques to better understand and exploit a crime scene,” Cannon said.

The overarching purpose of the training program is to demonstrate the necessity of secure site exploitation and crime scene investigation as it applies to the criminal prosecution process.

“This has historically been an issue with Iraqi law enforcement. Developing them in their ability to analyze and preserve evidence would be a huge success in their prosecution efforts.” said Capt. Ryan Snedegar, of Charleston, W.Va., executive officer, Company B.

• Date Taken: 10.09.2010
• Date Posted: 10.09.2010 04:55
• Story ID: 57792
• Location: CAMP GARRY OWEN, IQ