PNP boosts investigative, operational capabilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has acquired equipment to boost the investigative and operational capabilities of PNP units.

Among these are three-dimensional (3D) crime scene laser scanning and mapping equipment donated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Japanese government.

Koichi Warisawa, director of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs international safety and security cooperation division, led the turnover of the state-of-the-art equipment to the PNP Forensic Group at Camp Crame yesterday.

The 3D scanner was a product of the partnership between the UNODC and the Japanese government in enhancing the Philippines’ law enforcement capabilities to address security threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism.

The 3D scanner worth P2.8 million is expected to improve the ability of police investigators in documenting and reconstructing complex crime scenes, particularly terrorism, by capturing accurate and detailed images crucial for investigation and legal proceedings.

Forensic Group director Brig. Gen. Benjamin Sembrano thanked the UNODC and Japan for the equipment, which he said would revolutionize crime scene investigation.

The PNP is eyeing to procure at least four more 3D scanners for its crime scene investigators.