CSI - Kuala Lumpur

CSI Series A Boon For RMP's Forensic Team

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Investigative drama series CSI have become a morale booster for the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)'s forensic laboratory personnel to enhance their skills and efficiency in carrying out their work.
RMP Forensic Acting Principal Assistant Director ACP Dr Yew Chong Hooi said the American television series that have drawn millions of viewers worldwide including in Malaysia, had set a benchmark for the Malaysian Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, under the forensic laboratory, to achieve the standard.
In fact, he said, during trial of serious crime like murder, the court sometimes asked for more scientific evidence as in the series.
"Previously, before the CSI series, the court seldom required DNA profiling but now since the drama was shown and they have been exposed to the method and technology in investigation, they require scientific evidence like DNA profiling," he told Bernama here.
Dr Yew said even though the RMP's forensic laboratory was quite small compared to the one run by the American FBI (Federal Bureau Investigation), it had some of the equipment shown in the series.
He said people's exposure to CSI through the investigative drama was part of the challenges that had to be faced and taken positively by all Malaysian CSI personnel and officers.
"It makes us having to work hard for the society and the court to prove a particular case," he said.
He explained that to improve the forensic laboratory, several new equipment were being procured and expected to be delivered in the final quarter of the year.
Among them were a RM10-million DNA test database profile, forensic computer equipment and ballistic database.
CSI management at incident scenes was crucial in collecting exhibits so that they were not tainted and could be collected properly before being taken to the forensic laboratory.
Dr Yew stressed that to obtain an investigative finding and solid evidence, a cooperation between the investigating and forensic officers was important.
"The investigating officer must have some information and with the CSI Unit's assistance, the forensic experts can strengthen the investigation and makes it easier for the suspect to be identified," he said.
Dr Yew highly appreciated the RMP's plan to expand the CSI Unit to all state contingents so that the effectiveness of a particular investigation would be tidier and avert the loss of public confidence in the force.
"The setting up of CSI units will also help speed up investigations at incident scenes because it involves forensic experts," he said.
He said all experienced CSI personnel and officers continuously received training and many courses were being conducted either at the forensic laboratory or the RMP College.
This year alone, 26 courses would be held to train 685 CSI personnel nationwide.
"Our teaching force is sufficient. We can teach the theory but only practice will make the personnel and officers efficient and good," he said.

tunku : it's good to know that our police too are far advance but this type of tv series sometimes can give ideas to criminals of how not to leave any evidence.