In the past, the forensic science in Kosovo had not shown any significant development. After war during 2000-2005 years forensics was consolidated within the UNMIK administration, organized at central and local level, mainly led by UNMIK police. Forensic unit of UNMIK’s police was consisting from Crime Scene unit, dactyloscopy, ballistics, documents, and chemical-biological units.
All these units were consisted of different international personnel, mainly from the US, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria etc. Forensic Unit had a regional unit within the regional police command, who performed the examination of the crime scene, while physical evidence for expertise were send it to headquarters Forensics unit’s of UNMIK police. Types of expertise that were carried out at that time were documents, fingerprints, and ballistic expertises. Physical evidence for chemical-biological analysis of DNA and drugs were sent to the Bulgaria Forensic Institute in Sofia.
American Government, seeing how important is to support Kosovo in rising forensic capabilities in fighting and preventing crime, had decided through ICITAP in Kosovo to invest a considerable amount of funds for the construction of a modern Forensic Laboratory. So in October, 2003 ICITAP-American government placed the foundation stone of the building of the Forensic Laboratory.
This year, obviously, we considered the year of establishment of forensics in Kosovo. The 2003 year is also symbolized by the emblem of KFA which means the establishment of ,, Kosovo Forensic Agency” (Administrative Instruction no. 40/2012-MIA identification emblem of Kosovo Forensic Agency.
While during 2005-2007 forensic laboratory under the joint leadership of ICITAP and the Kosovo Police passes an important phase of development. During this time the most important developments considered development of forensic scientific methods for drug expertise, DNA analysis, examination of documents, ballistics examination, examination of fingerprints, establishment of quality assurance system and training of staff within and abroad.
In 2005 begins to work the forensic laboratory within the Kosovo Police. The first discipline that was started with expertise was drug expertise.
This year is considered not only the beginning of modern forensic expertise, but at the same time the beginning of modern forensic science development in Kosovo.
Official handover of forensic laboratory by ICITAP-American embassy became dated on 07/05/2008. US Ambassador in Kosovo, Tina Kaidanow, officially handed over the keys to the former Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Zenun Pajaziti, former director of the Forensic Laboratory, Police Lieutenant Colonel Mr. Blerim Olluri. From this date Laboratory of Forensic independent and guided by local experts.
In 2010, Kosovo Forensics had a fundamental change. Police Forensic Laboratory by decision of Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Bajram Rexhepi became an independent Executive Agency under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In May 2010, after the necessary professional training and preparation of adequate staff is done the inauguration of Traseology Laboratory this includes examination of tools, footprints and tires.
In 2010 was excepted Automatic System for identification of cartridges and bullets – IBIS (Integrated Ballistic Identification System) donated by the European Commission.
In 2011 a working group within the Ministry of Interior drafted the bill on Kosovo Agency for Forensics. The law which, after approval by Parliament and decreed by the President of Kosovo entered into force on 11.28.2011.
This year with no doubt is considered the starting year and establish legal infrastructure for Kosovo forensics.
In 2012, was done harmonization of Technical Procedures and Quality and Safety Manual conform international standard ISO: 17025.
In 2013 it accepted database for identification and comparison of DNA profiles -CODIS – (Combined DNA Identification System). This system is donated by the US Embassy in Kosovo and implemented by the FBI.
Kosovo Forensic Agency from January of 2013 is a member of International Association of Forensic institutes (IAFI), with equal rights. In this organization are currently affiliated 36 countries from Europe, Asia, America and Africa.(1)
In 2015 Kosovo Forensic Agency accredits its five laboratories; DNA / Serology, Chemistry / Drugs, Daktiloscopy and Traseology, Ballistics and documents, and is in the process of accreditation of other laboratories as a; Laboratory for explosives and fire, Laboratory for computers examination etc. Also in this year begins the construction of Annex object of KFA with approximately 4000m /2, which is expected to be functional on 2017.
(1) Dr. Blerim Olluri- Doctoral Thesis – Science of Forensics and his role in criminal procedure-a particular overview on their particularity and practice in Kosovo, Tirana 2016