Based on Regulation No 02-2015 of MIA for Internal Organization of the KFA the Department of Forensic Traceology consist from four Divisions:
- Administration of the Evidences Division
- Traceology and Fingerprint Division
- Ballistics Division
- Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division
Director of the Department of Forensic Traseology is
Mr.Ilir Kukaj
Tel:038 200 76 309, Mobil : 044-170-653
Email: ilir.kukaj@rks-gov.net
Address: Str.12 Qershori nr.101
10 000 Prishtinë
DIVISION FOR EVIDENCE ADMINISTRATION
Activity:
Administration of Evidences Division is in charge of handling of cases and requests received for examination. Within this division are conducted following activities:
- Receiving of cases for examination
- Case registration in LIMS system,
- Systematization of cases in evidence room,
- Delivery of cases for examination,
- Receiving of cases after examination,
- Delivery of cases to the requesting parties,
- Systematization of case files,
- Archiving of case files, etc.
These activities are conducted based ok Penal Procedure Code, the Law on Kosovo Forensic Agency and Standard Operating Procedures described below:
- Procedure for receiving-delivering of evidences,
- Procedure for checks in automatic identification systems and handling of requests received from law enforcement agencies,
- Procedure for approval and issuance of documents,
- Procedure for reviewing of requests for examination, and
- Procedure for archiving of KFA files
Staff:
In Administration of Evidences Division are employed four people: Chief of Division and three other trained and certified officials for receiving-delivering of cases. Qualification of officials begins form university degree of Bachelor and Master, also with various training in respective forensic field.
TRACEOLOGY AND FINGERPRINTS DIVISION
Activity:
Within the Traceology and Fingerprints division are conducted various traceology and fingerprints examination from the field of Firearms. The examinations conducted within the Traceology and Fingerprint Division are:
1. Examination and visualization of fingerprints with Physical/Chemical and instrumental methods,
2. Processing, data entry of fingerprints into Fingerprints database (ordering of papillary marks of fingers and palms, also of unidentified marks), and digitalization of papillary marks (CAPFIS),
3. Identification of persons based on papillary by using papillary marks fixed in the crime scene,
4. Person’s identity control and determination based on papillary marks received from the Directory for International Cooperation in the Field of Law Enforcement (ILECU).
5. Identification of corps based on papillary marks,
6. Identification of tool, shoe and tire print marks.
These examinations are conducted by using various methods based on Standard Operating Procedures listed below:
1. Procedure for examination of papillary ridges by following AKV-V method (Analyze, Comparison, Evaluation and Verification).
2. Procedure – Physics – Chemical and Instrumental method.
3. Procedure – Physical examination and classification of shoe and tire print marks.
4. Procedure – Physical examination and classification of tool marks.
Fingerprints Division also possesses AFIS system, in which system can be following checks:
- Ten fingerprints with ten fingerprints,
- Ten fingerprints with unknown latent fingerprints,
- Latent fingerprints with ten fingerprints,
- Latent fingerprints with unknown latent fingerprints,
- Palm marks with palm marks,
- Palm marks with parts of palm marks,
- Palm marks with unknown palm marks.
AFIS system saves, processes, finds fingerprints and palm marks with possible candidates registered in the Criminal Database.
Also AFIS system confirms search results of suspects through the border crossing system Live ID, if the person exists in the Criminal Database for the purpose of verification or investigation of different cases.
Staff:
In Traceology and Fingerprints Division are employed eight people: Chief of Division and seven trained and certified experts in the field of traceology and fingerprints examination.
Other:
- Traceology and Fingerprints Division, accredited in analytical methods based on international standard ISO 17025, AKV-V method, Physical method (powder), Chemical method and methods for analyzing and comparion of tool, shoe and tire print marks.
- Traceology and Fingerprints Division, more precisely the experts from the division represent the division and take part in ENFSI Firearms working group, other organizations and professional associations in national and international level.
- All the experts from Traceology and Fingerprints Division are tested and certified annually by taking part in Proficiency Tests that are organized and coordinated form Quality Assurance Division and the professional company for Proficiency Tests (Collaborative Testing Services), USA.
BALLISTICS DIVISION
Activity:
Within the Ballistics Division are conducted various ballistics examination from the field of Firearms. The examinations conducted within the Ballistics Division are:
- Examination of Firearms,
- Examination of cartridge cases and ammunition,
- Examination of bullets and/or projectiles,
- Examination of the vehicle chassis numbers,
- Determination of the shooting trajectories,
- Test firing of registered firearms, etc.
These examinations are conducted by using various methods based on Standard Operating Procedures listed below:
- Procedure for physical examination, classification and identifications of firearms and their parts
- Procedure for physical examination, classification and identification of bullets (projectiles)
- Procedure for physical examination, classification and identification of cartridge cases and ammunition
- Procedure for physical examination, classification and identification of shot shells and their components
- Procedure for microscopic comparison
- Procedure for examination of Vehicle Identification Numbers
- Procedure for shooting path reconstruction
Ballistics Division also posses IBIS system (Integrated Ballistic Identification System) where are saved digital data of the cartridge cases and bullets collected in crime scenes, during test firings of the examined and/or registered firearms. Digital data stored in this system are kept for criminal check and eventual hits with the cold cases.
Staff:
In Ballistics Division are employed nine people: Chief of Division and eight trained and certified firearms experts in the field of ballistics examination.
Others:
- Ballistics Division has five analytical methods that are accredited according to the international standard ISO: 17025, and other methods that are used in daily work that are undergoing the process of evaluation and accreditation.
- Ballistics Division, more precisely the experts from the division represent the division and take part in ENFSI Firearms working group, other organizations and professional associations in national and international level.
- All the experts from Ballistics Division are tested and certified annually by taking part in Proficiency Tests that are organized and coordinated form Quality Assurance Division and the professional company for Proficiency Tests (Collaborative Testing Services), USA.
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS AND HANDWRITING DIVISION
Activity:
In the Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division are conducted various forensic examination from the field of documents and handwriting/signatures. The examinations conducted, are:
- Examination of questioned Banknotes and Coins,
- Examination of Documents,
- Examination of Banderoles,
- Examination of handwriting/signatures.
These examinations are conducted by using various methods based on Standard Operating Procedures listed below:
- Equipment (PRT-3.1)
- Examination of documents security features (PRT-3.2)
- Application of luminescence in examination of documents (PRT-3.3)
- Determination of results (PRT-3.4)
- Absorption / reflection with IR waves in examination of documents (PRT-3.5)
- Examination and comparison of handwriting (PRT-3.6)
- Examination and comparison of signatures (PRT-3.7)
- Examination of interventions/modifications (PRT-3.8)
- Control of nick marks (PRT-3.9)
- Examination of typing machines (PRT-3.11)
- Examination of stamps and their marks (PRT-3.12)
- Printing techniques (PRT-3.13)
- Non destructive examination of paper (PRT-3.14)
Staff:
In Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division are employed six people: Chief of Division and five officials trained and certified experts in the field of documents and handwriting examination. Qualification of experts begins form university degree of Bachelor till Masters. Other training in respective forensic field and many years of experience.
Other:
- All the methods of Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division are accredited according to the international standard SK EN ISO/IEC: 17025:2005.
- Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division are distinguished member of the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) EDEWEG and ENFHEX working groups. As sing of cooperation to be taken under consideration can be participation in business meetings, conferences and partaking in Collaborative Exercises within the working groups.
- All the experts from Questioned Documents and Handwriting Division are tested and certified annually by taking part in Proficiency Tests that are organized and coordinated form Quality Assurance Division and the professional company for Proficiency Tests (Collaborative Testing Services), USA.
