NCJ Number
220003
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: August/September 2007 Pages: 12,14-16,18
Date Published
August 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the motivation and need for the new Kuwait Criminal Evidence Headquarters (KCE-HQ) and the design, layout, and staffing of the new state-of-the-art Kuwait facility.
Abstract
The new innovative Kuwait Criminal Evidence Headquarters (KCE-HQ) which supports the criminal justice system affords the Kuwaiti Government the opportunity to expand the KCE-HQ mission beyond its traditional role of passive evidence verification into an active, crime prevention organization. New departments housed in the new facility include: Cyber Crimes and a National DNA Database Center. Additional departments to be housed include: the General Directorate, Criminal Laboratory, Crime Scene, Forensic Medicine, Forgery and Counterfeit Prevention, Personal Identification and Automated Fingerprint, Quality Control, Research, Development and Training, Service and Support, and Department of Utilities. The new KCE-HQ is influenced by many factors, especially regional culture. Fifty-eight percent of the building is made up of assigned rooms and the remaining 42 percent is the space allocated to building requirements including structure, circulation, and building system functions. At present, the KCE-HQ has approximately 800 total staff. For KCE-HQ stakeholders, the next issue for exploration is what defines great forensic facility design? A project team will examine what trends, new technologies, and approaches in forensic science will create the next “tipping-point” for change. As the transitioning into design development begins, the team will be challenged by the demands of program, protocol, flexibility, and other definers of success.