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International Forensic Science Expert Conference in Vienna
From 18 to 20 September 2024, the Forensic Science Sub-Department at Criminal Intelligence Service Austria (BK) hosted a three-day expert conference in Vienna, Austria. Over 150 experts and various international guests attended the 30th meeting of the Firearms and Gunshot Residue Working Group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).
The 30th International Firearms and Gunshot Residue Conference from 18 to 20 September 2024 was organised by the BK’s Forensic Science Sub-Department. This year’s international meeting of the ENFSI working group was a valuable opportunity for experts and international guests to exchange knowledge.
More than 150 experts on firearms and gunshot residue from ENFSI member laboratories in 45 European countries as well as international guests from Ukraine, the USA, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Israel, Oman and the United Arab Emirates participated in this event. Police officers from the Vienna and Vorarlberg Provincial CIDs also joined the expert meeting.
European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI)
Since its foundation in 1995, ENFSI has established a European network aimed at strengthening the collaboration between forensic experts at universities and authorities in Europe and worldwide. Thanks to ENFSI, it was possible to improve the quality of forensic examinations in member states, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices and develop common standards.
ENFSI plays a key role in harmonising forensic procedures all over Europe, which means that forensic evidence can be compared and processed on the same level in different countries. The network encompasses various working groups for different disciplines, such as ballistics, firearms, fibres, shoeprints, tool marks, documents, handwriting, fires, drugs, fingerprints and DNA analysis.
The BK’s Forensic Science Sub-Department has been a member for more than 25 years. It acts as the BK’s official permanent representative at ENFSI and actively participates in about ten working groups.
Conference Programme
The programme of the three-day conference included an exhibition of forensic equipment, more than 30 presentations by experts on new insights from the field and fascinating research findings as well as discussion rounds. The topics of the presentations ranged from the development of 3D-printed firearms, usage of reloaded cases to analysis of organic gunshot residue. Furthermore, three workshops on photogrammetry in the field of firearms and proficiency testing were offered.
A special highlight for roughly 40 attendants was a visit to the Glock factory in Deutsch Wagram. Due to its relevance for ballistics and gunshot residue analysis, this visit proved especially interesting and informative for the international experts.
In his opening speech, Paul Marouschek, Deputy Director of Criminal Intelligence Service Austria, stated, "This conference illustrates the strong collaboration in essential forensic disciplines in Europe. Criminal Intelligence Service Austria has been an active member for more than 25 years. We are very proud to be hosting the 30th annual meeting of the Firearms and Gunshot Residue Working Group here in Austria.”