Crime Scene Management and Advanced Investigative Techniques Course

A joint Press Release from Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) 

5–8 December 2022, Kota Kinabalu: Thirty participants of 14 government and non-government organizations concluded the 4th Module of a “Crime Scene and Advanced Investigation Techniques” training last week. The series of trainings was organized by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), with funding from the US Department of State. The full course was delivered by Mr Justin Gosling, a law-enforcement and criminal justice specialist whose experience spans three decades, including service as a British police detective and as a consultant developing counter-trafficking policy and responses for world leading crime prevention organizations including INTERPOL. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four modules of this programme were spread over three years, covering topics such as Operational Planning, Surveillance, Controlled Deliveries, Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Management and Continuity, among others.

“The original plan of 5 consecutive modules throughout 2020 had to be adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first two sessions had to be delivered remotely last year, one session was exchanged for a manual, and finally, we manage to conduct the last two sessions in person this year.”, said Mr Justin Gosling. “This course is essential to tackle serious organized wildlife crime and provide a comprehensive range of tactics that the enforcement officers can use. The enthusiasm and commitment of the participants demonstrate they are prepared and willing to take on the scourge of wildlife crimes.”, he concluded.

It is very important for the SWD officers, and for those from other agencies that come across wildlife crimes, to work together and continue learning and practicing methods that will help secure arrests, prosecutions and convictions. This series of trainings has enabled this. The continuity of support from the agencies and participants throughout the four modules provided a unique opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between agencies; it was a forum to exchange experiences where junior officers learnt from the most experienced ones.

This training is part of the Program “Boosting Enforcement and Forensic Capacity to Deter Wildlife Trafficking in Sabah” which has been running since 2019 and is funded through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Dr Milena Salgado Lynn, DGFC’s Program Manager noted that “Unlike the Royal Malaysian Police, agencies like the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Parks have no academy or college their personnel can attend to learn the topics and techniques covered in these modules. Given their role in law enforcement for wildlife crimes, courses like this one are necessary and Danau Girang Field Centre is very pleased to organize them.”

A total of 45 participants were trained through the whole program and provided with a manual, in English and Malay, covering all the topics. Participating agencies included the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, Department of Fisheries, PERHILITAN, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, Eastern Sabah Security Command, General Operations Force, Royal Malaysian Police, Marine Police, WWF Sabah and Danau Girang Field Centre. The INL funded program will end next year.

Participants attend the earlier sessions of the Crime Scene Management and Advanced Investigative Techniques Course remotely.

Participants practicing arrests and vehicle searches

For more information on this press release, please contact:

Dr Benoit Goossens, Danau Girang Field Centre

Email contact@dgfc.life