VZCZCXRO5562
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #0050/01 0121108
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121107Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1729
INFO RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0125
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0085
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0141
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0125

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 000050 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/AAE (CARROLL AND BUHLER), EUR/ACE (LONGI), SCA/CEN (CHICOLAIDIS AND RORAFF) 
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR ICITAP MARK MOGLE 
ASTANA FOR INL 
BISHKEK FOR INL AND SLEA 
DUSHANBE FOR INL AND SLEA 
ASHGABAT FOR INL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR ASEC PREL KCOR KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: INL UZBEKISTAN: NEW COMPUTER NETWORK SUPPORTS FORENSIC 
SCIENCE 
 
REF: 09 TASHKENT 1233 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  A secure wireless computer network was installed at 
the Main Forensic Bureau of the Uzbek Ministry of Health with 
assistance from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law 
Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Department of Justice 
International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program 
(ICITAP).  This important upgrade is a part of the ongoing effort 
to help the Main Forensic Bureau conform to international standards 
of forensic science.  The ultimate goal of this program is to 
uphold the rule of law in Uzbekistan by enabling forensic 
scientists to provide the hard evidence that is at the heart of any 
successful criminal investigation. END SUMMARY. 
 
INL/ICITAP FORENSIC LAB IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. The role of forensic sciences in the rule of law cannot be 
overstated. Encouraging proper documentation of evidence and 
stressing the implementation of recognized international standards 
will help to develop a credible criminal justice system in 
Uzbekistan.  It is as important to clear the innocent as it is to 
punish the guilty, and the INL/ICITAP Forensic Lab Improvement 
Project teaches forensic scientists and law enforcement officers to 
think along these lines.  The INL Bureau and ICITAP have been 
assisting the Main Forensic Bureau as it attempts to achieve 
accreditation by the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO). Evidence analyzed in the Bureau laboratories is used in a 
wide range of criminal cases, including homicide, serious injuries, 
sexual assaults and cases involving toxic substances and narcotics. 
Officers from the Main Forensic Bureau also regularly train 
forensic officers from other regions of Uzbekistan and 
representatives of different law enforcement agencies. 
 
¶3. A variety of scientific equipment and training courses have been 
delivered, and the program has achieved steady development in the 
area of forensic expertise and overall lab improvement. However, it 
was clear that the Main Forensic Bureau was capable of greater 
improvements.  The major factors that were slowing the laboratory's 
work were weak communication between laboratory personnel, 
inefficient methods of generating new forensic documents and 
updating old forensic documents, lack of computer equipment and 
computer skills, and lack of contact with the international 
forensic community. 
 
NEW COMPUTER NETWORK SOLVES MANY PROBLEMS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. Providing the Bureau with a reliable computer network offered a 
single solution to all of the above-mentioned problems. The 
network, installed by embassy personnel, connects all of the 
forensic departments and provides them with a link to the 
international forensic community. 
 
¶5. On June 26, Ambassador Norland signed over computer equipment 
and software worth approximately $62,000, and on December 14, 
visiting U.S. forensic experts Dr. Mozayani and Dr. Posey 
officially inaugurated the new, secure wireless forensic computer 
network. The network was tested by the lab personnel during October 
and November to ensure that system was working properly. 
 
¶6.  The forensic computer network is a fully secure, wireless 
computer network with complete anti-virus protection that can 
accommodate 200 email accounts. The wireless network covers the 
entire compound of the Main Forensic Bureau. It consists of fifteen 
laptops, three servers (domain controller, email, and file 
servers), and a shared printer and scanner. It is connected to the 
Internet, and a unique name was registered for the Main Forensic 
Bureau's use: FME.UZ (FME stands for forensic medical examiners). 
Prior to the completion of this project, the Main Forensic Bureau, 
which is the top forensic bureau in the country, had only four 
outdated, stand-alone desktop computers that were full of viruses 
and Trojans. 
 
¶7.  During the two-month testing phase, the newly installed network 
had already achieved the following: 
 
a. The standardized computer system connected all personnel of the 
Main Forensic Bureau and initiated fruitful communication and 
 
TASHKENT 00000050  002 OF 002 
 
 
cooperation. During the months of October and November alone, the 
lab upgraded more of the Bureau's instructions and documents to ISO 
standards than they had in the last five years. 
 
b. Lab experts received network access to a shared computer drive 
that includes forensic manuals, forensic document templates, 
reference materials, and self-study materials. 
 
c. Network access to forensic manuals improved speed and 
consistency and reduced errors in the preparation of scientific 
reports by allowing all staff to work from a single source of 
information. The bureau also plans to create separate databases 
that will be shared within the toxicology, biology, histology, and 
financial management departments. 
 
d. All data is backed up from a single point on a scheduled basis. 
 
e. Working practices are streamlined, service standards are higher, 
and laboratory staff deal with more law enforcement queries faster. 
For example, now each forensic report from the histology, biology, 
and anthropology sections includes a digital picture. 
 
f. The network also allows remote secure access. Two Uzbek forensic 
experts who traveled to the U.S. in November had a chance to test 
the system and keep up with their work in Uzbekistan during their 
trip. In the future, INL Tashkent hopes to connect all forensic 
departments in Uzbekistan to the network. An integrated network 
would ensure that forensic instruction that meets international 
standards is used not only in Tashkent, but in the regions as well. 
 
g. The computer network reduced costs for the Main Forensic Bureau 
by sharing peripherals such as a printer and scanner and also by 
digitalizing and storing information in one centralized database. 
 
h. Forensic scientists and lab personnel now have Internet access. 
An Uzbek toxicologist has already taken advantage of this new 
resource by registering with the International Toxicology 
Association, which allows for access to toxicology databases, 
discussion boards, new books and manuals. 
 
i. The network has improved computer security and anti-virus 
protection and established authorized access control for sensitive 
documents related to a criminal case investigation. 
 
FUTURE PLANS 
------------------------ 
 
¶8. Additional computer training would be very beneficial for all 
forensic bureau personnel. The project could potentially be 
expanded to deliver similar benefits outside of Tashkent by 
connecting regional forensic bureaus to the computer network. Such 
an expansion would require delivery of at least two computers to 
each of the 14 regional departments, and five additional computers 
to the Main Forensic Bureau. 
 
¶9. The Main Forensic Laboratory of the Ministry of Health, along 
with its provincial branches, is an important resource supporting 
criminal investigations in Uzbekistan.  Unfortunately, funding for 
this INL project came to an end this fiscal year. In accordance 
with our Mission Strategic Plan to continue general support of this 
successful laboratory improvement project, INL Tashkent has 
requested additional financial assistance of $500,000. 
 
¶10. In case of specific questions please contact Political Officer 
Katrisa Peffley at office telephone: (998-71) 140-2113 or e-mail: 
peffleykb@state.gov or INL LES Dmitry Dogovorov at office 
telephone: (998-71)120-5450, cellular: (998-93) 180-6450 or 
unclassified email: dogovorovd@state.gov. 
NORLAND