U.S. EMBASSY DONATES LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO RA NATIONAL BUREAU OF EXPERTISES (FORENSICS LAB)

Noyan Tapan
Nov 9, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On November 8, the U.S. government
donated approximately 0,000 of forensics laboratory equipment to the
National Bureau of Expertises. According to the information provided
to Noyan Tapan by the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Armenia,
the donation letter was signed by the U.S. Charge d’Affairs Joseph
Pennington and RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian.

The new equipment was bought by the International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. The
donation includes two items of particular importance: a most
modern ballistics comparison microscope and a bullet recovery
system. This equipment will enable the Bureau’s firearms examination
unit to identify spent ammunition and test a variety of firearms. A
representative of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives is in Yerevan to train lab personnel. Members of Georgia’s
forensic laboratories arrived this week to work and train with their
Armenian and American colleagues.

Total U.S. government assistance to the National Bureau of Expertise
now exceeds 0,000. In addition to the equipment donated today,
the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section funded the
renovation of one of the laboratory’s buildings, arranged for training
for Bureau personnel in Armenia and abroad, as well as funded various
visits by an American Forensics Advisor to Armenia.