VZCZCXRO4821
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #0291/01 0750832
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160833Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0609
INFO RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0069
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0021
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0081
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0038
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0071

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TASHKENT 000291 
 
SIPDIS 
(BUHLER) 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/AAE 
EUR/ACE 
SCA/CEN 
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR ICITAP MARK MOGLE 
ASTANA FOR INL ANTHONY BEAVER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR ASEC PHUM PREL KCOR KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: INL SPONSORS FORENSIC DELEGATION VISIT TO USA 
 
REF: TASHKENT 017; 08 TASHKENT 1198; 08 TASHKENT 922; 08 TASHKENT 779 
 
TASHKENT 00000291  001.2 OF 005 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  The Bureau of International Narcotics 
and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), with the support of 
the Department of Justice Criminal Investigative Training 
Assistance Program (ICITAP), arranged as a part of a 
successful ongoing project the participation of Uzbek 
forensic experts in the 61st Annual Meeting of the 
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) in Denver, 
Colorado in February 2009.  The Uzbek forensic experts 
also visited four different forensic laboratories:  the 
Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the Virginia 
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Denver Police 
Department Crime Laboratory, and the Harris County 
(Houston) Medical Examiners Office.  The Uzbek 
delegation observed forensic laboratories accredited 
under the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO) standards and their related quality assurance 
programs. We expect this visit will significantly aid the 
Uzbekistan Main Forensic Laboratory under the Ministry of 
Health (MOH) and Forensic Center under the Ministry of 
Justice (MOJ) in further enhancing the professional 
development of Uzbek laboratory staff and attaining 
international accreditation.  Laboratory accreditation 
undoubtedly enhances the validity of evidence analysis in 
criminal investigation and furthers the cause of judicial 
reform in the country through periodic indendendent 
audits.  End summary. 
 
Forensic-focused Visit to USA 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) As part of the current laboratory improvement 
project, Embassy Tashkent and ICITAP arranged 
participation of Uzbek forensic experts in the 61st 
annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic 
Sciences (AAFS) in Denver, Colorado in February 2009. 
The Government of Uzbekistan appointed three officials 
for this trip:  Mr. Javlonbek Rahimjanov, Chief of the 
newly established Quality Assurance Section of the Main 
Forensic Lab under the MOH; the MOJ Laboratory Director, 
Mr. Sattar Atakhodjaev, who oversees the only forensic 
DNA laboratory in Uzbekistan; and Ms. Vasilya Alimova, 
the Chief of the MOH Bureau responsible for identifying 
funding for the Main Forensic Bureau.  (Note: the Quality 
Assurance Section was created after the Chief of this 
lab, Dr. Giyasov, visited the Harris County Medical 
Examiners Office in July 2008 and was first introduced 
to the requirements of ISO accreditation (Reftels).  An 
ICITAP team also visited the MOJ DNA laboratory in 
November 2008, at which time Mr. Atakhodjaev expressed 
his desire for the MOJ laboratory to be accredited under 
ISO.  End note.) 
 
Lessons Learned in Richmond 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) Prior to the AAFS meeting, ICITAP brought the 
Uzbek officials to forensic laboratories in Richmond, VA. 
It was the first time the Uzbek officials saw such a 
modern forensic laboratory.  The Deputy Chief of the lab 
personally conducted a familiarization tour around the 
facility and answered all questions.  The Uzbek 
delegation commented to accompanying INL LES what they 
specifically liked in the Virginia labs: 
 
a. That the laboratories operate independently from any 
law enforcement agency; 
 
b. Effective lab management system; 
 
c. Updated and efficient Standard Operating Procedures 
(Note:  As a matter of fact all former Soviet forensic 
laboratories do have SOPs but they are generally outdated 
 
TASHKENT 00000291  002.2 OF 005 
 
 
and not always adhered to.  End note.) 
 
d. Capacity to access, search, input and compare data in 
the national forensic databases; 
 
e. Strict chain of custody in the evidence control 
system. 
 
Networking with Neighborsin Denver 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Departing Virginia, the Uzbekistan delegation 
traveled to Denver and participated in a five-day 
professional forum of the American Academy of Forensic 
Sciences.  It is significant to note that during the 
event Uzbek officials met not only with colleagues from 
the United States, but also from Kazakhstan and 
Turkmenistan.  We expect that the Central Asian officials 
who met in person will establish regional forensic 
connections and learn from each other. 
 
¶5. (U) During the AAFS meeting the Uzbek delegation 
mainly focused attention on two topics:  standards for 
attaining international accreditation (ISO) and 
establishment of a laboratory Quality Assurance program 
(QA).  The vital importance of these topics was 
emphasized by INL/ICITAP experts during workshops and 
seminars since the concepts and requirements are new for 
the Uzbek laboratories. 
 
¶6. (U) The Uzbek delegation mentioned that, in addition 
to lectures, the tour of the Denver Police Department 
Crime Laboratory and vendor exhibition of new forensic 
equipment were particularly useful in broadening their 
horizons. 
 
Texas Lab Shows What ISO Accreditation Entails 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶7. (U) At the conclusion of the conference, the 
delegation flew to Houston and visited the Harris County 
Medical Examiners Office.  The Forensic Laboratory 
Director, Dr. Ashraf Mozayani, personally provided an 
overview of the laboratory and the quality assurance 
programs (Note:  Dr. Mozayani is herself a frequent 
visitor to Uzbekistan under the auspices of this project, 
and this visit helped strengthen the relationship she has 
built with Uzbek counterparts.  End note.)  During a busy 
schedule, the Uzbek experts visited many different 
departments, sections, and laboratories, covering the 
topics of DNA and Serology, Biology, Toxicology, 
Anthropology, Morgue, Controlled Substances, Trace 
Evidence and Investigation.  They also participated in 
briefs about management, budgeting, and a lecture on how 
to properly justify equipment, labor, and other resource 
requests to government officials.  A detailed description 
was given about Quality Assurance and Quality Control 
(QA/QC) programs, including proficiency tests, financial 
support and budget creation, general laboratory 
management, safety measures, and necessary reporting 
systems.  The Uzbek experts noted that their Harris 
County visit gave them a superb practical view of the 
material covered during the AAFS lectures. 
 
Sharing the Knowledge 
--------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) Embassy Tashkent was invited to attend a summary 
presentation in the Uzbek Forensic Bureau on March 9 that 
highlighted the results of this trip for the benefit of 
all entire laboratory personnel.  This has become an 
established tradition now that multiple trips have been 
sponsored for Uzbek scientists at conferences abroad, and 
the sense of responsibility in sharing lessons learned is 
taking root. 
 
Recommendations for Government Decision-Makers 
 
TASHKENT 00000291  003.2 OF 005 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
9.(U) The Uzbek participants reported that they will 
recommend the following action steps to the Government of 
Uzbekistan: 
 
a. Review and update existing Forensic SOPs; 
 
b. Introduce ISO standards; 
 
c. Fully adopt QA/QC procedures in Uzbekistan forensics 
programs; 
 
d. Conduct more trainings with international 
participants; 
 
e. Begin laboratory employee proficiency testing; 
 
f. Improve the system of evidence handing with a goal of 
preventing cross contamination; 
 
g. Participate in an international long-term laboratory 
exchange program between similar forensic departments. 
This will provide a practical view of routine forensic 
processes and would be seen as a major benefit for the 
Uzbek experts.  (Note:  However, while the delegation 
visited the U.S. we received a diplomatic note denying 
just such a proposed internship for an Uzbek scientist in 
Texas, demonstrating that such plans are still considered 
sensitive to the Uzbek government.  End note.) 
 
h. Invite U.S. experts from a wider spectrum, including 
specialists in forensic serology, biology, toxicology, 
anthropology, pathology, controlled substance, trace 
evidence, and DNA; 
 
i. Share knowledge and experience with regional experts; 
 
j. Establish joint databases, images, and SOPs; 
 
k. Create a forensic communication network around the 
country to expedite the process of solving complicated 
cases, which will allow experts to exchange information 
(Note:  Embassy Tashkent through INL is currently working 
on establishing a pilot phase forensic network.  End 
note.) 
 
l. Fill a gaping need by appointing a Director of 
Operations position in larger laboratories.  Such a 
professional would manage administrative, financial, 
business and operations activities, allowing the 
scientific experts to focus on what they do best. 
 
m. Work to improve the importance and visibility of 
forensic laboratories within the former Soviet Union; 
 
n. Explore the possible addition of disciplines that 
cover forensic nursing and forensic investigations in 
relation to sexual assaults. 
 
LAB IMPROVEMENT PROJECT -- RESULTS ACHIEVED 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (U) The overarching project goal is to educate 
Uzbekistan on how to build a modern forensic laboratory 
and how to receive ISO accreditation, thereby enhancing 
the validity of evidence analysis in criminal cases and 
improving the judicial system.  Post already has compiled 
success stories from the lab as a result of this project 
work, including: 
 
a. The position of Forensic Quality Manager was created 
in the Main Forensic Laboratory. 
 
b. Ministry officials and laboratory experts realized the 
importance of international standards and are beginning 
to strive toward ISO accreditation. 
 
TASHKENT 00000291  004.2 OF 005 
 
 
c. Forensic Bureau experts started their work to update 
Forensic Standard Operating Procedures with a goal to 
comply with international standards.  (Note:  Even though 
it is a lengthy process, it is a major milestone on the 
path to international recognition.  End note.) 
 
d. As a result of the Agilent Gas Chromatograph Mass 
Spectrometer system which was donated, the Uzbek experts 
can now provide qualitative and quantitative toxicology 
analysis for complex cases.  Determining the amount of a 
substance in the body is a very important aspect in 
defining the role of toxic substances, including drugs 
and psychotropic substances, in order to establish cause 
of death.  For example, previously Uzbek experts could 
only say if a certain substance was in the blood of dead 
person, whereas now they can determine if that substance 
was in a sufficient amount to cause of death.  Previously 
the toxicological department of the lab provided only 
identification of substances and not quantity.  These 
advances have already made law enforcement investigations 
more sophisticated. 
 
e. The Main Forensic Lab is now capable of providing 
training to lab experts from all over Uzbekistan as well 
as other countries on new toxicology methods and the use 
of Agilent Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer system. 
 
f. The donated UV light source and training provided an 
opportunity for lab personnel to identify previously 
hidden body fluid stains in criminal cases involving 
sexual assaults and tremendously reduced the time 
required for semen, saliva, and urine stain searches. 
 
g. The recently introduced Phenolphthalein test and 
associated donated chemicals allow analysts to conduct a 
safe preliminary test for the detection of blood.  This 
test is replacing the Benzindine test which is a known 
cancer causing agent and is a health risk to laboratory 
employees. 
 
h. The newly introduced Modified Takayama test and 
donated chemicals allows for the positive identification 
of blood, thereby providing increased capability for the 
laboratory. 
 
i. The newly introduced staining method, known in the 
U.S. as the Christmas Tree Stain, allows for better 
staining of spermatozoids and results in increased 
detection of evidence in sexual assaults. 
 
j. The Anthropology section uses the donated 
stereomicroscopes equipped with a digital camera to 
better document their findings in case notes.  The 
photographs also allow for visual support of findings in 
laboratory reports. 
 
k. Laboratory employees have benefited from exposure to 
international conferences and workshops, at which they 
have built networks and learned about peer review of 
academic work.  This integration with an international 
professional community has increased motivation to learn 
English, and donated workstations equipped with language- 
learning software have helped improve English skills 
among the professionals. 
 
Comment: 
-------- 
 
¶11. (U) The Main Forensic Laboratory of the Ministry of 
Health is an important resource supporting criminal 
investigations in Uzbekistan and U.S. assistance has 
already achieved concrete improvements.  The project has 
also encouraged the Government of Uzbekistan to pay more 
attention to the role of such institutions, and it 
responded to our investment by constructing a new 
facility for the main forensic laboratory.  More work 
 
TASHKENT 00000291  005.2 OF 005 
 
 
remains on the long road to attaining ISO accreditation, 
and we encourage an additional funding stream to continue 
this productive assistance effort.  While much attention 
thus far has been devoted to the Ministry of Health 
laboratory, there is also ample opportunity to do project 
work with the Ministry of Justice, which will enhance our 
impact on rule of law programming. 
NORLAND