SEESAC

What happens when critical evidence must be secured in the very first moments of a crime scene investigation?

The European Union and UNDP with SEESAC, today handed over two fully equipped mobile crime scene investigation laboratories, valued at EUR 64,000, to the Montenegro's Ministry of Interior.

The new laboratories will enable forensic teams to examine crime scenes and collect evidence more efficiently, strengthening Montenegro’s capacity to investigate fi****ms-related crime in line with EU standards.

The handover ceremony was attended by H.E. Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Ms. Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, and Ms. Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro.

Progress in the rule of law, security, and effective arms control forms an integral part of the EU accession process, and as Montenegro advances toward membership, the emphasis is increasingly shifting from the adoption of legislation to its effective implementation. Strengthening forensic capacities is an important part of translating these commitments into measurable results.

The two mobile laboratories enable investigators to examine crime scenes, collect and preserve evidence, and transport it safely while maintaining chain of custody. Equipped with specialized forensic tools, photography and lighting systems, independent power supplies, and metal detectors, they strengthen criminal investigations and efforts to combat fi****ms trafficking and organized crime.

The handover builds on more than two decades of UNDP’s support through SEESAC to authorities in the region, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and capacities to more effectively combat the illicit possession, trafficking and misuse of fi****ms.

In 2025, more than 432 firearm-related incidents were recorded in Montenegro, affecting 108 people, including 25 fatalities, 27 injuries, and 35 cases involving threats with fi****ms. These findings from UNDP SEESAC’s, EU-funded, Armed Violence Monitoring Platform highlight the scale of firearm-related violence and the sustained operational demands placed on law enforc

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Effective weapons and ammunition management helps lower the risk of proliferation, strengthens control over stockpiles and contributes to a 🌎

This week in , UNDP SEESAC, with the support of 🇪🇺, brought together institutions and technical experts from across Southeast Europe to strengthen regional cooperation on weapons and ammunition management.

The workshop focused on practical priorities that matter for security outcomes: safer storage facilities, stronger inventory control and record-keeping, improved ammunition surveillance, surplus disposal, and keeping regional practice aligned with international standards and emerging technological developments.

In addition, participants reviewed lessons from the first phase of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap, discussed regional armed violence trends with focus on lost and stolen weapons, and shared views on how broader armament trends are shaping future responses.

A visit to the TROM Doboj ammunition testing facility, organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, added an important operational perspective by showcasing ammunition maintenance, destruction, and laboratory analysis capacities in practice.

The workshop in Sarajevo reinforced that effective stockpile management is a key contributor to preventing diversion, reducing risk, and strengthening security cooperation across the region.

Fi****ms Focal Points play a critical role in disrupting illicit arms flows. Strengthening their analytical capabilities leads to more coordinated investigations, faster intelligence-sharing, and more effective cross-border responses.

In March, SEESAC delivered a two-day advanced analytical training for Fi****ms Focal Points from the Western Balkans, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

Participants enhanced their ability to turn data into actionable intelligence that directly supports fi****ms trafficking investigations, including:

👉 identifying crime patterns and trends
👉 mapping criminal networks
👉 reconstructing key events

The workshop translated into strong practical results, with participants successfully applying new analytical approaches through scenario-based exercises.

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