1. Ukrainian-Latvian research project "Open Educational Resource; Forensic Science”
Project No. LV-UA/2021/3Project Manager – Olena AgapovaExecuting institution from Ukraine: National Scientific Center «Hon. Prof. M. S. Bokarius Forensic Science Institute»Executing institution from Latvia: Riga Stradiņš University.From January 2021 to December, the Ukrainian-Latvian project “Open Educational Resource; Forensic Science” was implemented. A delegation of researchers from the National Scientific Center «Hon. Prof. M. S. Bokarius Forensic Science Institute» arrived in Latvia: Olena Agapova.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
“Open Educational Resource; Forensic Science” is dedicated to comprehensive research of the latest scientific approaches, the formation of theoretical positions, and practical conclusions aimed at improving the mechanisms of educational and scientific activities in the field of forensic support of justice.
Within the framework of the research project, the importance of creating open educational resources and modernizing methods of training forensic experts will be proven.Considering the social significance of the activities of forensic experts, whose expert opinions help establish the truth in cases, the research project will address specific current issues of forensic science. Proving the importance of creating open educational resources and modernizing methods of training forensic experts is an integral part of this research.The project implemented the following:● solutions to urgent issues of the current state of forensic science in Ukraine and Latvia;● alignment with contemporary trends and approaches to enhancing the process of education, teaching, knowledge exchange in the field of forensic science and criminology;● creation of educational resource (filled with scientific materials, unique and rare publications, educational video presentations of laboratory work) with the possibility of remote use.
2. Latvian-Estonian project “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in Documentation of the War Crimes Committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine)”
With the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Latvia and State Forensic Science Bureau Republic of Latvia, NSC FSI was among all other expert institutions of the country to obtain a grant to participate in the project “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in Documentation of the War Crimes Committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine)”.Within the framework of the project “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in Documentation of the War Crimes Committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine)”, former NSC FSI employees, for the present time representatives of the State Forensic Science Bureau Republic of Latvia, project ambassadors Iryna Zhuk and Olha Pashkova visited the National Scientific Center «Hon. Prof. M. S. Bokarius Forensic Science Institute» with an official working mission.
The project objective is to provide practical support to the forensic experts of our Center in documentation of the war crimes committed by the Russian aggressor, namely:● assistance in obtaining new equipment for conducting relevant examinations;● exchange of experience and training of our specialists to improve qualifications;● mutual assistance in the development and implementation of new methods of forensic research.Such cooperation also aimed at the possibility of exchanging experts for training. Two main stages of our agreement have already been implemented on this occasion.In August, Kateryna Rudnieva, Oleksandr Smyrnov and Anastasiia Sinitsyna arrived in Latvia to implement the project “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in Documentation of the War Crimes Committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine)”. The official meeting was attended by the Second Secretary of the Department of Development Cooperation Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dāvis Drēziņš, who emphasized unwavering support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Ukraine’s sovereignty in its fight for the right to be free.
Together with Raimond Apinis, Deputy Director of the State Forensic Science Bureau Republic of Latvia; Māra Rjapele, Head of the Department of Biological and Chemical Research; and Vitalijs Freidenfelds, Head of the Document Investigation Department, the Center’s experts visited the Department of Chemical and Biological Examinations, as well as the Department of Document Examinations.
The NSC FSI delegation was accompanied by experts from the State Forensic Science Bureau Republic of Latvia, namely Irena Vlasenko, petroleum products expert; Olha Liiepa, glass, gunshot residue, and metal objects expert; Valdis Vēseres, gunshot residue and metal objects expert, as well as Iryna Zhuk and Olha Pashkova, project ambassadors.
Our experts had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the research methodologies and new working equipment of our Latvian colleagues. Such an exchange of experience improves forensic support in our countries and strengthens cooperation between institutions. In September, a delegation of scientists and experts from the NSC FSI visited Estonia, namely Tallinn. The main purpose of the visit was to continue the further implementation of the international project “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in Documentation of the War Crimes Committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine)”. For the guests from Ukraine (with the aim of adopting the advanced experience of scientists from the Baltic countries), a visit to Estonian Forensic Science Institute is planned to familiarize themselves with the organization of expert work, the use of equipment, and the latest methods of forensic research.
The project participants are Ihor Sych, Head of the Laboratory of Physical, Chemical, Biological and Veterinary Research, Olena Agapova, Head of R&D and Publishing, international Cooperation Laboratory, and Oksana Bernadska, a forensic expert in Molecular-Genetic Sector.
Skeleton ID
Since February 2023, NSC FSI has had several working meetings with representatives of the Spanish company Panacea Cooperative Research regarding possibilities of using the Skeleton•ID software by the NSC FSI employees for identifying individuals through craniofacial overlay, facial comparison, biological profiling, and comparative radiography.After reviewing the proposal from the Spanish, we found out that law enforcement and government agencies worldwide, particularly in South America, actively apply the forensic identification software Skeleton•ID when other means are not feasible. As noted by participants from the Spanish side during the meeting, Skeleton•ID allows for the identification of individuals within seconds (previously requiring hours or even days): patented technology automatically compares several skulls, dentition, and faces simultaneously. The software can be used to search databases for missing persons or to compare unidentified remains in mass graves.
The negotiations lasted about two months ago, and finally, in April 2023, we signed a trilateral memorandum of cooperation and partnership together with Panacea Cooperative Research and ARTEC Europe.According to the terms of memorandum, NSC FSI together with representatives of Panacea Cooperative Research are required to conduct a joint experiment. If it is successful, Spanish specialists will provide the Skeleton•ID program for our Center’s use and organize training for specialists in the use of this software. The combination of the existing Artec Leo 3D scanner at NSC FSI and the Skeleton•ID program will facilitate the solution of expert research tasks that were previously unresolved. Since April 2023, preparations for the experiment have been underway, including the discovery of skulls by the Center, forensic scanning, CT scanning of the skull by a Center employee, and the provision of photographs from 3 different angles of 24 subjects. The Skeleton•ID program was supposed to generate a 3D scan of the subject’s skull using their photographs. And the experiment was successful!
Currently, we are holding working meetings regarding the next steps in accordance with our agreement. Support from international partners and organizations in forensic science of Ukraine is very valuable, especially in the conditions of full-scale Russian aggression against our state.