In its effort to deliver community service to the nation, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) embarked on a week-long training on Forensic Laboratory Techniques for members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), from Monday, March 10 at NUL, Roma Campus.

The workshop was conducted by the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The aim was to train LMPS staff on the role and importance of forensic science in criminal investigations and how forensic evidence supports law enforcement and the judicial system.

The workshop also equipped the LMPS staff with forensic laboratory procedures by introducing the basic operations of a forensic laboratory and outlining the chain of custody and the importance of evidence in integrity.

One of the training facilitators, Dr. Liteboho Maduna, indicated that after the workshop, participants were able identify different types of forensic evidence, evidence collection and preservations, basic forensic techniques, interpreting forensic results, legal and ethical consideration, as well as collaboration between law enforcement and forensic experts.

The ongoing refresher workshop, is a capacity building initiative for LMPS members carried out under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between National University of Lesotho and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

It is also a part of the NUL initiative on community engagement through providing free services using the University expertise and resources.