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Description
The overall goal of the project is to strengthen the forensic capacity of Bulgaria for precise and overall evaluation of evidence collected for criminal and civil cases. The project will improve the forensic infrastructure in Bulgaria which is a requirement for all European countries on the way to the common objectives stated in the strategy “European Forensic Science Area 2020”. The project will strengthen the capacity for forensic examination of drug substances, for examination of latent fingerprints, id documents, biological traces and digital material evidence, and for establishing the authenticity of identity documents of illegally residing or detained illegal emigrants, to increase the capacity and the quality of collecting and examining evidence in relation to computer and computer-related crimes and to create specialised working stations for analysing information carriers, network devices and communication devices.
The project includes, inter alia, the following main activities:
- Technical equipment for five regional forensic laboratories;
- Specialized training courses for experts in different fields of forensic science;
- Organising a conference in Bulgaria with experts from Norway and Bulgaria on the topic of “Presentation of the results of the work with the new equipment, benefits from the acquired knowledge and abilities in solving specific expert tasks”;
- Writing and publishing “A Handbook on Forensic Science”.
Summary of project results
The main goal of the project was to increase the capacity of forensic examinations in Bulgaria for accurate and comprehensive evaluation of material evidence and material evidential means. The project aimed to address several key issues and challenges in forensic investigations in Bulgaria, including outdated and insufficient equipment. The regional forensic laboratories at Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna and Pleven were operating with outdated and inconsistent equipment, leading to inefficiencies and variations in the quality of forensic analyses. Due to the diverse and aging equipment, forensic investigations lacked uniformity, which affected the consistency and reliability of results. The project sought to unify forensic techniques and ensure standardized laboratory practices across regional forensic units. Existing forensic facilities had limited capabilities, particularly in areas such as synthetic drug analysis, digital evidence examination, and other specialized forensic fields. This restricted the range of investigations that could be conducted at the regional level. As the only facility conducting synthetic drug analysis and digital forensic investigations, the National Institute of Forensics was overwhelmed with casework, leading to delays in processing and prolonging investigation timelines. Expanding regional laboratory capabilities aimed to decentralize tasks and improve overall efficiency. There was a need for specialized training to enhance the expertise of forensic personnel in various investigative areas. The project included training programs to improve the qualifications of forensic experts and align them with modern forensic methodologies. By addressing these challenges, the project sought to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of forensic investigations, ultimately supporting law enforcement and judicial processes in Bulgaria.
Within the framework of the project, various equipment was purchased in the field of physico-chemical examinations, biological, handwriting and document examinations, fingerprinting and analysis in the field of digital technologies. The equipment is installed and used in five regional forensic laboratories - those of Sofia, Varna, Pleven, Plovdiv and Burgas. The purchased equipment achieved unification of the equipment, which in turn standardized the quality of the examinations performed by the five regional forensic laboratories. After the delivery of the equipment, the number of prepared expert reports from the 5 basic laboratories increased, and respectively their number decreased in the National Institute of Forensics , which helps to prepare expert reports faster and to reduce their delay.
Trainings and exchange of good practices were organized together with the Norwegian partner Kripos. Trainings were held in Bulgaria led by Norwegian experts on the topics of "Gunshot Residue Examination", "Synthetic Drugs Analysis", "Handwriting Investigation" and "Documents Investigation". Bulgarian experts visited Norway to exchange experience on the following topics: "Quality assurance – the application of EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 in the forensic labs"; "Laser scanning/3D-documentation of crime scene investigation and particularly firearms related crime scenes", "Accreditation according to EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 of the drugs analysis laboratory".
A Handbook on Forensic Science was elaborated. The handbook was distributed to all structures of the Ministry of Interior, also it was sent to the National Library, the National Investigation Service and the Military Police . It was also sent to the e-library of the Academy of the Ministry of Interior in electronic form.
Nine training courses in the field of forensic science were conducted. 234 employees of forensic laboratories in the country participated in the training courses. The training courses conducted within the project led to the increase in the qualification of the expert staff.
A science conference was held where the results of the project activities were discussed.
Through the implementation of the project, the equipment of five regional forensic laboratories was renewed and expanded - Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, the District Directorates of Pleven, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. Unification of the equipment was achieved and, accordingly, unification of the quality of the laboratory examinations. With the new equipment, the scope of the conducted analyses has been expanded. Conditions were created to start the accreditation process of the laboratories. The project improved the capabilities of the investigative and law enforcement authorities. The specific result is that the capacity for laboratory forensic examinations at NIFS and the regional forensic laboratories was expanded. The capacity of forensic examinations in Bulgaria for accurate and objective evaluation of material evidence and material evidential means collected in specific criminal and civil cases was increased.
The training and qualification of forensic experts have been key priorities, ensuring that specialists at the Bulgarian National Institute of Forensic Science and regional laboratories develop the necessary expertise to implement modern forensic methods. The project has facilitated direct exchanges between Bulgarian and Norwegian forensic professionals, enabling discussions, joint training, and knowledge-sharing in areas such as gunshot residue examination, forensic quality assurance, 3D scanning, drug analysis, handwriting investigation, and document examination.
Beyond technological advancements, the project has placed a strong emphasis on the bilateral cooperation in the field of forensic science. The cooperation between the Norwegian National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) and the Bulgarian National Institute of Forensic Science has played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations in the field of forensic science. This partnership has facilitated the exchange of expertise, experience, and best practices, providing a strong foundation for continued cooperation.
The project also is a highly important contribution to the overall aim of the cooperation – combating organized crime in Europe. High quality and capacity of forensic laboratories are invaluable contributions to effective law enforcement. Addressing domestic and national crime requires up to date methods further strengthened by the transfer of knowledge and sharing of experience between police services in Europe.
A notable outcome of the project is the publication of the Handbook on Forensic Science, which serves as an important resource for forensic experts. By documenting best practices and methodologies, the handbook contributes to the standardization and harmonization of forensic procedures, further enhancing the reliability and credibility of forensic investigations.
Summary of bilateral results
The project has facilitated direct exchanges between Bulgarian and Norwegian forensic professionals, enabling discussions, joint training, and knowledge-sharing in areas such as gunshot residue examination, forensic quality assurance, 3D scanning, drug analysis, handwriting investigation, and document examination. This collaboration has not only improved forensic standards but has also reinforced the operational effectiveness of both institutions.The experience gained from this period of cooperation highlights the potential for continued partnership and further knowledge sharing between Norway and Bulgaria. The modernization of forensic capabilities, combined with strengthened professional networks, lays the foundation for future initiatives aimed at improving crime investigation and law enforcement effectiveness on a wider European scale.