The laboratory was littered with ballistic evidence and dominated by high-powered microscopes. Some commented that the room looked more like a lab they would find in a stateside police station than what they were expecting in Iraq.
Impressive as the room was, the Iraqi Police and 793d MPs know there is a long way to go before the building reaches its full potential. “Things are progressing and that’s good,” said Capt. Jay Cash, assistant operations officer with the 793rd MP Bn. “I have seen the progress since we have started and the IP have come a long way.” The overall plan for the building consists of a complete overhaul of its infrastructure and security. Then the building has to pass a cleanliness test and the IP lab technicians have to become certified forensic specialists. Once that’s completed, the last step is to move in more than $2.5 million worth of state-of-the-art forensic equipment into the building, said Keith Curtis, the law enforcement professional for 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
The IP are already well on the way to meeting these requirements.
Since the project began, the IP have removed four truck loads of rubbish from the area, cleaned the upper levels of the building and have sent seven of their lab technicians to Baghdad to become certified in forensic science, said Brigadier General Abed Kariem Gabar, chief operations officer for the provincial police forensics crime lab. He added that when his technicians return, they will be able to perform many levels of forensic operations, such as analyzing DNA, chemicals and explosive residue.
“We are building now, so everyone needs more (time), but we are learning,” Kariem continued.
One challenge the general continues to face, however is gaining the people’s confidence in forensic science. Fortunately, the IP recently arrested criminals accused of burglary and theft and the forensic team played a critical part leading up to their arrest. This seemly simple action went a long way to establishing the team’s credibility.
“We’ve faced some problems; before the people didn’t understand (what we do),” Kariem said. “We gained the trust of the people and we proved how important our role was.”
As the Soldiers and IP parted ways, the general gave his thanks to the U.S. forces for their continued support in making both Basra province and Iraq a safer place for its citizens.
