The renovated building of the Forensic Expert Committee's administration opened in Vitebsk

The opening of the modernized administrative building of the Department of the State Committee of Forensic Examinations for the Vitebsk Region took place on November 25 in the northern capital.

Having started its activities three years ago, due to the implementation of the judicial reform concept, the regional department united expert units and laboratories of various departments into one structure. The new department received various premises and buildings in the city, including at 12 Gagarin Street.

Within the framework of the state investment program, the costs for the reconstruction of half of the building of the former evening school, previously located at this address, amounted to more than 10 billion rubles (before denomination). The commissioning dates for the second construction phase were repeatedly postponed. Despite economic difficulties, by the decision of the head of the department, an opportunity was found to resume work, which allowed the entire building to be put into operation. Its modernization cost 36.5 billion rubles.

Due to the need to build a new morgue in Vitebsk, the design of the third construction phase has begun, which will include several more auxiliary premises. This step will resolve the issue of transferring the four-story building at 2 Budenny Street, where some departments of the department are currently located, to municipal ownership, and will allow concentrating all structures in one expert town, noted the head of the regional department of the SCSE, Yuri Shchetko.

In the updated administrative building, good working conditions have been created for the employees of the expert institution. The facility is equipped in accordance with the most modern requirements: it is equipped with video recording and fire protection systems, a local area network has been installed, and internet access is available.

Currently, the department conducts 35 main types of examinations. As a rule, in most civil and economic disputes, as well as criminal cases, it is impossible to establish the truth without an expert conclusion.

Andrei Shved, Chairman of the State Forensic Examination Committee, who took part in the grand opening ceremony of the building, noted that not only budgetary allocations but also funds earned by expert units from paid research are directed towards the renewal and improvement of the Committee's material and technical base. According to the head of the department, the renewal process should not be a one-time event, but should be carried out continuously, taking into account the development of technologies and scientific achievements. For example, the operation of a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer has made it possible to meet the needs for rapid analysis of synthetic drugs. These days, similar equipment is being installed in Polotsk for law enforcement officers in the western region of the oblast.

— With the commissioning of the modernized building in Vitebsk, a number of important programs have been implemented, aimed at the prompt and modern provision of expert activities, the work of law enforcement agencies and courts. In Belarus, the formation of a three-level system for the examination of the entire spectrum of narcotic drugs has been completed. Such a scheme, which allows for the most prompt receipt of examination results, does not exist in the entire post-Soviet space. But a no less important stage lies ahead — a fundamental renewal of the instrument base for forensic medicine, technical and forensic examinations, — said Andrei Ivanovich.

Congratulating the Vitebsk experts on this significant event, Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Oblast Council of Deputies, recalled the important role they play in the development of national legislation, ensuring stability and security in society, and protecting the rights and interests of citizens.

— Drug addiction, human trafficking, mismanagement, greed remain negative phenomena of our reality. An effective fight against crime is impossible without the use of modern achievements in various fields of scientific knowledge and advanced technologies. The implementers of these innovations have always been representatives of expert specialties, — he noted.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, emphasizing that the authorities recognize the work of specialists and will support their efforts in the fight against crime.

After the ceremonial handover of the symbolic key to the building and the cutting of the red ribbon, the guests personally became convinced of the quality of the work performed by OJSC "Stroyтрест №9", appreciated the equipment of workplaces and special premises, and also familiarized themselves with the capabilities of the departments for conducting various research. One of the gifts presented to the new settlers was a service bus.

Olga Bulavka. Photos by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskie vesti".