The project will build educational and training capacities in forensic awareness and forensic science in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and in the Caribbean. The ultimate goal is to provide more knowledgeable and better skilled academic communities and public work forces, and put in place more effective techniques and processes that will have a positive impact upon crime detection and resolution and, ultimately, prevention.

Developing centres of academic excellence

The project aims to develop the University of Mauritius and the University of Technology in Jamaica into centres of excellence in forensic education and training in their respective regions. This will be assured through close cooperation between these two universities and strengthened by the expertise of Staffordshire University, international leader in collaborative education and quality assurance.

Regional conferences held in Southern Africa and the Caribbean will facilitate the sharing of learning between the partners and provide a forum for interaction with other stakeholders in the regions. These will include the police and law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories and legal systems. They will have the opportunity to learn from the project partners and to contribute to discussions.

Furthermore, the physical capacity to undertake forensic learning and analysis will be expanded by the purchase of strategically targeted equipment that will provide both a learning and research resource at the partner universities and will be utilised on a regional basis for the evaluation of forensic evidence.

Staff and curricula development

Teaching staff at the University of Mauritius and the University of Technology in Jamaica will upgrade and enhance their forensic science qualifications in a number of ways. Regular meetings involving all partners will include staff development workshops focusing on specific knowledge and skills.

Furthermore, Southern African and Caribbean staff will study the Staffordshire University MSc in Forensic Science, a blended learning programme incorporating online learning with annual skills development workshops in the UK. Knowledge will be shared with regard to quality assurance procedures, both in terms of forensic protocols and higher education quality assurance. This will facilitate the professional development of the partners’ administrative staff.

The project partners will then jointly develop curricula that will contribute to new and current educational programmes. A compilation of training materials to be offered to those involved in forensics and law enforcement on a professional basis, such as police forces, forensic laboratories and law societies.

Creating safer communities in Southern Africa and the Caribbean

The project will have a key impact on the enhancement of links between the universities and the public sector and will result in universities becoming centres of expertise providing consultancy and other services to ensure that, in both regions, forensics develops in a coherent and holistic manner and that quality is ensured across the sector.

Enhanced degrees and training in forensic science will provide well trained and appropriately skilled forensic science professionals. National and regional police and law enforcement agencies in the Caribbean and SADC, forensic science laboratories and other providers of forensic services, and legal professionals will become more conversant with forensic issues and have greater confidence in the analyses and procedures.