Circumstantial Evidence Training Program Launched to Combat Financial Crimes
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a training program aimed at strengthening the capacity of Iraqi institutions to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The program is designed to address the pressing need for specialized training in criminal investigations, crime detection, and evidence analysis.
Objectives of the Program
- Strengthen the capacity of Iraqi institutions to investigate and prosecute financial crimes
- Provide instruction on various areas, including:
- Criminal investigations and crime detection skills
- Preparing and implementing strategies to combat corruption
- International expertise in identifying movable and immovable property
- Modern methods of investigating and detecting financial crimes
Training Curriculum
The training curriculum includes topics such as:
- The value of financial investigations
- Financial profiling
- Case planning and preparation
- Sources of information
- Evidence collection and evaluation
- Use of circumstantial evidence
- Report writing
- Asset recovery
- Money laundering investigations
Program Structure
- The program will bring together investigative judges, expert investigators, and representatives from supporting institutions such as:
- Commission of Integrity
- Ministry of Interior
- Police Directorate for Organized Crime and Financial Crimes
- Participants will form task forces or operational teams consisting of five members each, including:
- An investigative judge
- CoI investigator
- Police investigator
- Representative from a supporting institution
- Each seminar will consist of four days of training, with the investigation beginning on day one and continuing throughout the program
Importance of Investigative Cooperation
The training program emphasizes the importance of investigative cooperation and the value of multiple disciplines utilized in the task force approach.
Handbook on Financial Investigations Launched
In addition to the training program, a handbook on financial investigations has been launched to provide guidelines for conducting financial investigations in Iraq. The handbook outlines investigative procedures from case initiation to preparation of a criminal report, and includes articles pertinent to the Iraqi Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
Institutional Cooperation Crucial
The success of the training program depends on institutional cooperation and exchange of information between investigative agencies and supporting government institutions. The lack of cooperation and exchange of information has been identified as a major obstacle in the frequency of success of initial detection and further investigation of financial crimes.
Future Plans
The UNDP is working closely with Iraqi authorities to strengthen institutional cooperation and ensure that trained personnel are retained in departments and directorates that investigate financial crimes, allowing them to develop their expertise and experience over time.