An RGP detective, Detective Richard Cunningham, has completed Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Stage 2 in the UK, enabling him to independently deal with serious crime scenes in Gibraltar with enhanced forensic skills and expertise.

He passed a series of exams during his month-long specialist training in West Yorkshire to achieve his CSI Stage 2 qualification.

Mr Cunningham can now be independently deployed to more serious incidents in Gibraltar such as sexual assaults, serious assaults, sudden deaths, firearms discharges, robberies and arson scenes.

The College of Policing approved course was held at a specialist training center in Wetherby and was taught by former and experienced crime scene managers as well as external experts in subjects such as biology, counter-terrorism and digital forensics.

Mr Cunningham joined the RGP in 2018 and has worked in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit (CSIU) for around two years and has already completed his Stage 1 course which focused on road traffic collisions, burglaries and more minor assaults. It also covered photography basics, fingerprinting and DNA sampling.

“The Stage 2 course will allow me to attend more serious incidents as a CSI officer alongside my colleagues. I am now qualified and confident to make more decisions when I go to crime scenes,” he said.

CSIU members of the RGP are typically tasked with documenting, developing, collecting and preserving physical evidence at the crime scene. They have become experts in forensic disciplines such as collecting DNA and gathering evidence from prints left by shoes, tires, tools or fingerprints.

“It was an interesting and intense course. There were many methodologies and procedures to learn about how CSI works,” he said.

“I look at CSI as a puzzle, you’re trying to figure out what happened and put things together by recovering evidence or finding something at a crime scene that doesn’t look right.”

“Now I see things in a different light after completing the Stage 2 course.”

“We were also taught how to provide forensic advice to other officers on how not to contaminate crime scenes and how to present our evidence from major crime scenes to more senior investigating officers.”

“In the CIS, we are on guard a lot and you have to be prepared for every scenario.”

“Taking this course has given me the confidence and skills to tackle more serious crimes.”

Acting Superintendent Sean Perera said the work carried out by the RGP’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit was another example of the invisible policing taking place in Gibraltar.

“The truth is that the forensic evidence-gathering skills and dedication of this unit and officers like DC Cunningham are often the deciding factors in proving the outcome of a case,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate Richard for his hard work and dedication, which will no doubt help us keep the Rock safe.”