Physicians for Human Rights Offers Training in Crime Scene Doc...( Course to be...),Health

Course, to be Offered in April 2010, Provides First Responders with a Forensic Toolkit

Cambridge, MA (Vocus) November 9, 2009 -- When Stefan Schmitt of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) first inspected a suspected mass grave at Dasht-e-Leili in Afghanistan, he realized he would need a team of experts to help interpret the scene. He knew that documenting the site properly was a key first step in securing evidence of a human rights violation.

“Securing a crime scene and collecting basic evidence, such as taking photos or making sketches, is vital. The biggest loss of evidence takes place when first responders disturb the area and information is documented in a shoddy way,” said Schmitt, PHR’s Forensic Director.

For over fifteen years, Schmitt has been providing forensic expertise to human rights investigations including work in Guatemala, Iraq, Bosnia, Rwanda, Liberia and Afghanistan. As the director of the International Forensic Program at Physicians for Human Rights, he leads an annual training program in Crime Scene and Evidence Documentation in Tallahassee, Florida. This year’s course will be offered from April 20-24, 2010.

The course is designed for human rights field investigators, NGO workers, UN officers, ICC investigators, doctors, nurses, journalists, attorneys or anyone who might be a first responder to a human rights violation and is in a position to document evidence.

Over five days, students will attend lectures and engage in practical training, including the documentation of mock crime scenes. T
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