Australia and Thailand partner in forensic-led policing
3 October 2024
World-leading forensic scientists from the AFP are continuing their long-standing forensic-led policing work with Thai counterparts to help combat transnational and serious organised crime.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean said the development of forensic skills across the Mekong region – including in digital forensics – was identified by the AFP and its international partners as a priority.
“Our international partners have made it clear these specialist forensic and digital forensic skill are crucial in the fight against the Organised Crime Groups which operate in the region and target Australia,” he said.
“Not only do they grow opium for heroin and manufacturing methamphetamine, but they are also heavily involved in human trafficking and cyber scams from the many scam centres just outside of Thailand. Enhancing skills in forensics is another step we’re working with regional partners to protect our respective communities.”
Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Angela Macdonald PSM, said forensic science is a critical tool for law enforcement agencies.
“The AFP has been working with their scientific colleagues in Thailand for more than 30 years,” she said.
“Australian experts get a lot from our regional partners’ experiences. Insights, knowledge and inspiration - some of their most innovative solutions for forensic challenges in Australia have been influenced by observing how our international colleagues apply unique treatments to issues that occur in their countries.”
Ambassador Macdonald joined Royal Thai Police (RTP) Forensic Commissioner General Trairong Piwpan and AFP Chief Scientist Dr Simon Walsh last month to open the ‘Australia Room’ in the Royal Thai Police Forensic Facility in Lampang.
The Australia Room is supported by the Mekong-Australia Partnership, and is used to train police scientists from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Assistant Commissioner McLean said the RTP Office of Police Forensic Science (OPFS) and the Thai Office of Narcotic Control Board’s (ONCB) Narcotics Analysis and Technical Services Institute (NATSI) are regional leaders in many areas, including their drug analysis work and commitment and ability to link all aspects of forensic evidence to identify and prosecute offenders.
“Drug profiling work by our Thai colleagues gives us vital intelligence to ultimately disrupt drug trafficking through Thailand,” he said.
“This results in drugs being seized in Thailand and surrounding countries before they even reach Australia, and the subsequent prosecution of drug traffickers.”
The AFP and ONCB also collaborate on Project fd, a four-year A$2.4 million joint initiative to enhance forensic drug profiling in Thailand and surrounding countries. The project has provided new equipment for the NATSI laboratory, developed a drug profiling database, and joint training activities in Australia and Thailand.
AFP members also participated in last month’s Asian Forensic Science Network (AFSN) conference. AFP Chief Scientist Dr Simon Walsh gave a keynote address to more than 700 experts from 18 countries about emerging technologies in forensic science. Dr Walsh examined new developments in the application of forensic science to law enforcement, and looked at opportunities where countries could collaborate, share information and jointly uplift the region’s capabilities.
AFP forensic scientists also hosted a panel session on regional illicit drug profiling. Profiling from analysing drug seizures from around the Asia Pacific is helping to target drug production areas and supply routes.
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