KIRKUK, Iraq - Civilian police advisors and military police at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, held a meeting at the Kirkuk Training Center for Iraqi police first responders to discuss methods to improve their operational tactics, Sept. 16.
‘Titan’ Soldiers of 512th MP Company, 92nd MP Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., along with CPA facilitated the course, which stressed the importance of crime scene management.
The CPA and MP's decided there was a need for this course after noticing mismanagement at a crime scene in Kirkuk.
Various police units respond to a crime scene, each with a person in charge, but no one in charge of the entire scene, said Michael Cook, a CPA. In the end they have evidence that is compromised and assets that are not being used, Cook added.
“This course was a great opportunity to bring together the IP, Emergency Services Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Anti-Crime Unit and Criminal Evidence Unit so each unit could gain a better understanding of how to work together to manage a crime scene,” said Cook.
Kirkuk Police Chief, Major Gen. Jamal Taher Bakir and Police Chief of the KTC, Brig. Gen. Kawa Gareb Abdolrahman, both attended the briefing and said they believe crime scene management is the key to solving cases.
Preserving and gathering evidence is a very good course if the IP want to convict the person who is responsible for a crime. There cannot be any mistakes at the scene, said Major Gen. Jamaal.
According to Cook, gathering evidence is important because the courts in Kirkuk are trying to move away from only confessions and witness testimony.
If a case is taken to court based solely on testimony the witness or suspect can recant at any time. Something they cannot take back is evidence left at the scene, he said.