U.S partners with St. Kitts and Nevis for Crime Scene Investigations Subject Matter Exchange in Basseterre

St. Kitts, Friday, February 18, 2011 - The U.S. Embassy's Force Protection Detachment, in conjunction with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is working with the St. Kitts and Nevis Police and Defense Forces to hold a Crime Scene Investigations Subject Matter Exchange in St. Kitts. The exchange, which runs from February 21st to 25th, will be attended by approximately 40 officers, lead investigators and detectives from the St. Kitts Police and Defense Forces.

This vital Subject Matter Exchange aims to increase capabilities in crime scene investigation and will lead to further successful prosecutions of criminal cases. The exchange will cover topics including securing crime scenes, evidence collection, packing of evidence, photographing of evidence and sketching of crime scenes. The attendees will also be provided with a practical Crime Scene exercise for hands on experience.

This exchange is fully funded by the U.S. Government and supports the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), President Obama's comprehensive security initiative in the Caribbean.

CBSI was launched with our regional partners as a joint response to increasing rates of crime and violence in the region. The United States is providing US$45 million in the first year of the program to train and professionalize security forces, boost anti-trafficking efforts, and promote citizen safety partnerships. CBSI takes a comprehensive approach that seeks to combat crime with better trained and equipped security forces and deal more effectively with the impact of criminal activity with strengthened law enforcement and judicial capabilities. It also aims to address the root causes of crime through programs that promote social inclusion and economic empowerment through education, technical training, and entrepreneurship.