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In March 2026, ballistic experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia held working meetings in Niš and Skopje, aimed at strengthening cooperation and sharing professional experience among forensic laboratories.
During visits to the laboratories, participants shared knowledge and experience on standards, equipment, laboratory practices and methodologies used in ballistic examinations. This approach allows experts to compare different ways of working and gain a better understanding of practices applied across the region.
“Regional cooperation among ballistic laboratories is essential for strengthening forensic capacities. Through these activities, we had the opportunity to share experiences and improve our methodologies, as well as establish contacts that are important for addressing complex cases.”
Dženana Kapo, Forensic Centre of the Federal Police Administration
The meetings also included discussions on standards, equipment and procedures used in daily ballistic analyses, as well as the sharing of experiences among institutions from the region.
“We discussed standards, equipment and methodologies, as well as the challenges we face in our daily work. The sharing of experience contributes to improving the quality of forensic analyses and aligning approaches across the region.”
Mladen Novaković , Forensics Unit of the Criminal-Technical Centre of the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska
This exchange builds on ongoing cooperation among ballistic experts in the region. During the previous year, similar meetings were held in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Banja Luka, with the aim of strengthening professional ties and knowledge exchange among forensic laboratories.
The activities were supported through the LEAD project implemented by the UNDP office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as related projects implemented by UNDP offices in Serbia and North Macedonia. These initiatives are funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Sweden, the French Republic, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Norway, with general support from the European Union via the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for implementing the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their ammunition and explosives in the Western Balkans by 2030.
Originally published on undp.org