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The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to increase forensic capacity including crime scene management, evidence collection and preservation through provision of technical support and equipment to law enforcement entities throughout the country of Ethiopia in support of preventing atrocities related to conflict.

Ethiopian Police has limited understanding of principles of human rights and forensics ability to provide services to their citizens, many who are women and children. As a result, Ethiopians including those in conflict-affected communities continue to lack basic access to justice services and protections against sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV). This is mainly, due to lack of developed crime scene management, evidence collection and preservation, and forensic capacity both at regional and federal law enforcement level. In many areas, forensic labs, processes, and material needed to process physical evidence is completely absent. Regional law enforcement depends on the Ethiopian Federal Police for most forensic services; however, the forensic capacities at the federal level are under resourced and do not support modern forensic processes. Additionally, crime scene management principles are not followed, and evidence is not properly collected nor preserved. Lack of crimes scene and forensic capacity and capability impacts investigations, contributes to lengthy pre-trial detention, and impacts case outcomes. Hence, building a robust, credible forensic service system that upholds justice and strengthens community trust in the justice system by aligning resources and training will enable the Ethiopian Federal Police and Police University Forensic Services improve their impact on criminal investigations and justice outcomes. 

Project Vision 

• The vision of this project is to increase forensic capacity of the Ethiopian police and Ethiopian Police University to provide robust and credible forensic services that will contribute towards long-term outcomes in rights-based law enforcement in Ethiopia. If INL supports the Ethiopian Police University to revise and redevelop its training system, both new officers and those already on the job can be influenced to follow a human rights-based approach. The availability to federal and regional police services of technical support -- including crime scene management, evidence collection and forensic capacity -- will ultimately foster increased public trust in the criminal justice system through a reduced pre-trial detention period and better case outcomes. This project will support INL Functional Bureau Strategy Goal 3: Strengthen criminal justice systems to support stable, rights-respecting partners. 

Goal(s) and Objectives 

• Goal 1. The Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP) is able to handle crime scene management, evidence collection and preservation, as well as forensic analysis in investigations of crimes including human rights and sexual gender based (SGBV) violations. 

• Goal 2. Ethiopian Police University (EPU) has increased ability to provide practical training, and handson experience as well as exposure to modernize forensic techniques with a foundation in practical and theoretical forensic science.   

• To achieve these goals, INL has established the following project objectives: 

  • EPU has the tools required to deliver effective forensics education and training for forensics scientists, investigators, and law enforcement officers, focusing on crime scene management, evidence handling and forensic analysis. 

  • The EFP and EPU has essential forensic equipment and instrumentation for effective investigation, education and research, including new advanced DNA and fingerprint analyzing tool for supporting scientific rigor and speed in forensic training and investigations. 

  • Police has increased utilization of EFP’s forensic labs to hold perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence.   

  • The role of forensics science, federal and regional police services is highlighted and there is an increased public trust in the criminal justice system resulted. 

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $1,500,000 

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000 

• Length of performance period: 24 months 

Activities and Deliverables 

• Applicant should be expected to use grant funds to pay for beneficiaries and program participants travel. 

  • Activity 1. Develop a Comprehensive Training of Trainers Program for EPU and EFP staff: The training program is intended to address EPU's and EFP’s gaps in practical training, hands-on experience, and exposure to modern forensic techniques. This will enhance forensic competencies among EPU faculty and students, with a stronger foundation in practical and theoretical forensic science and may include study visits within the regions or to the USA. 

  • Activity 2. Revise and Develop EPU’s forensics Training curriculum:  This should include assessment of the gaps in the current curriculums, revise and develop new curriculums, manuals and standard operating procedures as well as exchange programs with international universities to enhance teaching capabilities and ensure EPU delivers quality and up to international standard trainings to students and practitioners. 

  • Activity 3. Technological Enhancements:  This incudes provision, installation and commission of forensic equipment with provision of training sessions on its use to both EPU and EFP. 

  • Activity 4. Quality Assurance and Governance:  Drafting of forensic standards and protocols and setting up of an oversight body as well as enabling accreditation preparation are expected from this activity. 

  • Activity 5. Public Awareness Campaigns: This includes using educational materials and media to highlight the role of forensic science in criminal justice and crafting events to promote trust in forensic services, including among justice sector actors. 

  • Activity 6. Research and Knowledge Sharing:  This shall include creating connections for periodic forensic mentorship, studies and publications to share advancements and case studies. and Initiate training projects between international experts, EPU, and INSA on regional forensic challenges. 

  • Activity 7. Monitoring and Evaluation:  This shall include conducting progress reviews to assess the effectiveness of implemented action items. Develop a sustainability plan between stakeholders to ensure continuity of forensic advancements. 

Participants and Audiences

• The intended target audiences are Ethiopian police university students, faculty members, teachers, forensic scientists, and criminal justice system actors. Program activities should consider diverse participants, including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other underrepresented groups. 

Eligibility

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:

  • U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); 

  • U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the U.S. tax code; 

• Applicants must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply to this NOFO: 

  • Applicants will need to acquire a country operating license prior to commencement of the project. 

Post Date: January 22, 2025