Cablegate: Babil Prt Workshops Demonstrate Value of Forensic

VZCZCXRO9719
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDH RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0340 0401320
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091320Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6526
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000340

SIPDIS

DEPT PLS PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: BABIL PRT WORKSHOPS DEMONSTRATE VALUE OF FORENSIC
EVIDENCE IN SOLVING CRIMES

1. This is a Babil PRT cable.

2. Summary: The Babil PRT held two forensic workshops with
local provincial judges, investigators, and journalists at
FOB Kalsu in December 2009 and January 2010. The workshops
included a walk-through of the Army Crime Lab at FOB Kalsu,
briefings on the effectiveness of forensic evidence in
criminal investigations and trials, and a review of current
conditions at the Al Hillah Crime Lab. Working with contacts
in the local legal system, PRT Babil ROL Team identified the
need to educate judges, Iraqi Police (IP) and journalists
about the effectiveness of forensic evidence in identifying
criminals and bringing them to justice. End summary.

3/3 BRIGADE CRIMINAL TASK FORCE RICH IN INVESTIGATIVE
EXPERIENCE
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3. On December 15, 2009, the PRT co-sponsored a forensics
workshop with 3/3 Brigade's Criminal Task Force (CTF). That
team includes a former FBI agent who has investigated high
profile crimes. The PRT sought and obtained local judicial
buy-in before planning the workshop. More than 30 judges and
police investigators attended. A local reporter attended in
an &on background8 basis. The workshop began with a
briefing from the Army Crime Lab about the training they
provided to their Iraqi counterparts and included a tour of
the facility. The training helped local fingerprint
examiners meet internationally accepted standards of
competence.

4. The former FBI agent also gave a two-hour presentation of
the investigation of the Polly Klaas case. He discussed how
the case was investigated and the key role that forensic
evidence played in determining the criminal,s identity and
proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The workshop
concluded with a presentation from the Director of the Al
Hillah Crime Lab. He discussed the lab,s capabilities and
answered questions from the judges about the lab,s
operation. He concluded with a request from the judges to
increase their utilization of lab services.

BABIL CHIEF JUDGE AND PROSECUTING JUDGE CALL FOR MORE
WORKSHOPS
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5. Immediately after the workshop, PRT Rule of Law Advisor
and Prosecuting Judge (PJ) Mohaned Al Dulami discussed the
possibility of additional training sessions. Al Dulami asked
that an additional session be scheduled in the spring.
Provincial Chief Judge Diya,a Omran also requested another
workshop. He said the workshop was so successful in opening
eyes to the effectiveness and utility of forensic evidence
that an earlier session was needed to capitalize on the
intellectual momentum of the first workshop. The Brigade and
PRT scheduled and conducted a second session on January 5,
2010. Brigade CTF told the ROLA that after the workshops he
received requests that he repeat his presentation to judges
and investigators in Najaf and Wasit.

COMMENT
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6. Comment: These workshops were a start to a necessary
educational effort for police, investigators and all types of
judges in Babil province. Practical exercises like this
allow trainees to gain first-hand experience utilizing their
classroom skills in a controlled environment. Additionally,
journalists are a powerful force in creating an environment
of change in the system. They have the unique ability to
publicize the efficiency of these tools in proving guilt, and
the lack of utilization of the tools in actual cases where
the capability for their use exists. This can create a
demand from average citizens for a more open and effective
Qdemand from average citizens for a more open and effective
justice system. End comment.
HILL

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