26 Jun 2014

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has bought forensic equipment worth P975 000 for its stock theft branch and the criminal records bureau.

The equipment includes 15 digital cameras and 15 other forensic equipment for use during investigations of stock theft cases.

Assistant Commissioner Goitsilwe Lesetedi, the deputy director of forensic science services, said when handing over the forensic evidence collection kit on June 26 that it was made possible after the Botswana Police Service put together an initial crime scene investigators’ course, specifically for stock theft officers.

Mr Lesetedi said the equipment would be allocated to the 15 police districts. In future, more of such equipment would be introduced to police stations.

Fifteen stock theft officers were trained in the use of scientific methods in their investigations where they were studying three modules: forensic, fingerprints and photography.

He said the training marked an important milestone in development and growth of the stock theft branch, and to promote continuity in the way scenes of crime were attended to in this era.

“There can be no doubt, therefore, that the training constituted a firm foundation for future crime scene attendance, their training was planned for personal renewal and development, to bring focus and reflection on daily business and sharpen their insights in dealing with various issues at crime scenes,” he said.

“The skills gained qualify them to execute a course of action to achieve optimum evidential results better than before,” he stated.

He said as the equipment cost the government a lot of money, they needed a lot of care and security and therefore encouraged the officers to use them wisely and effectively.

He said the trained officers would be monitored to determine how effective they had become compared to their performance before training.

When receiving the equipment head of stock theft, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Motlhagodi, said his office had been yearning to have the equipment that it had just received.

He said the equipment would make stock theft investigations easier than before. Ends