Course

Documenting Scenes Of War Crimes And Human Rights Violations

The aim of the course is not to produce crime scene technicians or forensic officers, but rather to educate international investigators about how to document physical evidence in conflict or post-conflict environments where the time, resources and security available may be far less than in the controlled domestic environments where law enforcement normally operates. The course focusses on:

  • Identifying and prioritising crime scenes
  • Negotiating access
  • Security threats around crime scenes
  • Essential search techniques
  • Basic photography
  • Collection and labelling
  • Chain of custody
  • Mass graves: Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology
  • Forensic techniques overview (DNA, blood, fibres etc)
  • Ammunition and ballistics
  • Improvised explosive devices

NB Please note the 2025 course will finish in the late afternoon on 18 April (Good Friday) and full attendance is required in order to receive certification.

The course was definitely an extraordinary experience.

Student of the course International Investigator

The course was definitely an extraordinary experience.

International Investigator Course Participant

We had a colleague on mission from Geneva a while back, and when they found out I had completed the IICI investigators course they mentioned that it was the ‘gold standard’ of training and that more human rights officers needed to do it. Could not agree more.

Documentation of Scenes of War Crimes and Human Rights Violations Participant

You, both the participants and our tutors, are uniquely talented and experienced individuals from whom I learned a lot during my one week with you. Am looking forwards to another opportunity to work with you in an effort to enhance respect and accountability for human rights and end impunity on SGBV crimes.

Justice Rapid Response (JRR)-UN Women certification training course for experts on Investigating sexual and gender-based violence as international crimes, Bangkok

The course was definitely an extraordinary experience. I really appreciate putting things to practice with all the group exercises. It is essential to be part of a multi-disciplinary team and learn how to work with others. It is what I enjoyed most.

International Investigator Course Participant

Date to be determined

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