World Bank Project
In October 2016, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan in partnership with the World Bank launched the “Strengthening Forensic Capacity” project as part of the larger “Justice Sector Institutional Strengthening Project. ”The project focuses on supporting forensic science reforms across three levels: improving operational efficiency at the laboratory level by developing key performance indicators to also support international accreditation, improving legislation and regulation at the systemic level, and enhancing the skills of forensic experts through training at the personal and professional development level.
The project is run by a consortium led by М Narikbayev KAZGUU University located in Nur-Sultan in collaboration with UK partners including King’s College London, Key Forensic Services Ltd, and QPA Strategies Ltd. It covers 21 types of forensic disciplines ranging from DNA and toxicology to medical forensics and forensic accounting, as well as management and policy level aspects of the forensic reform.
In total, more than 250 forensic experts from across Kazakhstan have attended training courses and workshops in the UK, the US, Israel, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, and since 2020 training programmes are being delivered via online and virtual platforms. A suite of key performance indicators has been developed and piloted, designed to improve quality and efficiency of forensic labs across the country. And as part of the systemic review, detailed analysis of a number of international experiences with private forensic services has been conducted, with specific recommendations for Kazakhstan’s forensic market development and related regulation and legislation.
“This is a very unique project to support ongoing forensic science reforms in Kazakhstan. It is the first of its kind specifically dedicated to forensics undertaken by the World Bank, bringing a wealth of international expertise to enhance the entire system across its many levels and establishing a solid platform for further reforms.”
-Yury Bikbaev, Project Leader, Strengthening Forensic Capacity, Justice Sector Institutional Strengthening Project
https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P143274?lang=en
https://astanatimes.com/2017/02/ministry-of-justice-and-world-bank-to-strengthen-forensic-services/
