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Gardaí get new crime scene kits to collect evidence at domestic violence calls

Eight garda divisions now have cars with the kits in them, with plans to roll out the programme across the country.

A PILOT PROGRAMME has been launched across eight garda divisions to test new kits to be used at crime scenes before they are rolled out across the organisation.

The programme is part of reform plans for An Garda Síochána and is particularly focused on improving the response to domestic abuse calls.

Eight patrol vehicles in the country are now carrying the crime scene kits, which contain a digital camera so gardaí can take photos when they arrive at an incident.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie about the pilot, Superintendent Michael Daly of the Protective Services Unit said: “They are forensic crime kits, they’re very useful for any crime scene, not just domestic abuse, but I wanted members focused on domestic abuse. It’s about changing the mindset of the organisation so that first call and anything that they do for domestic abuse, that they’re starting to think crime scene from the very beginning – even when the victim isn’t making an official complaint.”

There may be evidence worth gathering, if there is damage to the house or injury to the victim, if they are willing to get a photo taken.

Daly said this evidence could be vital in showing long-term abuse in a relationship if the victim decides to make a formal complaint to gardaí after a number of incidents.

Statista Statista

Victim support

As part of the plan to improve garda handling of these types of incidents, 28 new victim services offices have been established across the country to keep victims informed as they move through the justice system.

The superintendent said that in domestic abuse cases, a garda in one of these units will have “ownership of the investigation” and this will make it easier for victims to seek support or information.

“That means you have consistency with how we deal with it, all across the country,” he said.

Feedback about the crime scene kits out in the field at the moment has been positive, Daly said, and other items in the kit, like paper overalls, gloves and crime tape have been used at the scenes of other types of crimes, like shootings.

“It’s fairly basic stuff, it’s not all carried at the moment in vehicles and it should be.”

The garda modernisation and renewal programme, which was published by the Garda Commissioner two weeks ago, commits to a number of technology-based initiatives to help speed up and streamline the service.

From the beginning of next year, the organisation plans to roll out a mobile system which would allow gardaí on the beat to access information on incidents and on suspects using smartphone or tablet devices. There are also plans to expand the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to quickly track criminals who are using the road network.

Read: Gardaí on the beat will soon be able to access Pulse data on smartphones>

Read: Most people in Ireland trust gardaí but many victims feel they won’t do anything>

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    Mute fitszpatrick
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 3:56 PM

    Gallagher is one dodgy geezer. Avoid like the plague

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 8:51 PM

    Exactly

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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 3:51 PM

    Methinks that me gallagher doth protest too much

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    Mute Charles Mark
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 4:40 PM

    How magnanimous of Michael D not to have any problem with how the media is treating him. He is clearly the preferred choice of the mainstream media and has been spared the type of scrutiny to which all of the others have been subject.It looks now like one-time media darling Senator Norris was dragged across the nomination line to add spice to the campaign and therefore sell more papers, attract more viewers and listeners. How cynical! How typical!

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    Mute Michael Cuthbert
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 4:26 PM

    ‘Secret FF candidate’? Easy enough to deny that so…

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 5:39 PM

    Funny how the media forgets that Mary McAleese was a FF nominated candidate and when put forward for a second term by FF all parties supported her..Why have the print media give mitchell such an easy ride. how come we do not see the stories regarding his speech on rejoining the commonwealth,or the irish people would be stupid to reject the lisbon treaty a second time.Michael D Higgins has a past yet we do not see it in the media.

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    Mute Sean C
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:33 PM

    That was before FF became a pariah writing off the economy.

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    Mute Annmarie Donoghue
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 5:41 PM

    I ave 2 agree wit Martin mcguinness I think he was treated so unfairly by all media wen his secrets were out in the open before he went for president,I think we should be more werry of the other Sean is a true ff man Norris would only b a joke,Dana is speaking for the church which we don’t want 2 go there,higgans way 2 old,gay wot can I say out 2 ram us for every penny wot has fg done for us since they went into power.

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 8:53 PM

    Wot????

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    Mute Sean C
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:34 PM

    My brain hurts !

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 11:38 PM

    Gay Mitchell really is a piece of work. I heard his ‘gay’ remark and Norris was quite right to put him in his place .

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    Mute Frank2521
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:27 AM

    Baldy Bertie – of course he denied he is from the same litter as the rest of the FFers. Denial is part of their DNA.

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    Mute Charles Mark
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 6:31 PM

    Could it be that the people want a little humility in their President?

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    Mute David Abbott
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:51 AM

    It’s worth noting that Mary McAleese wasn’t nominated by FF in 2004. She nominated herself as permitted under the constitution and was therefore independent from any political parties. She had the support of at least Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 10:58 PM

    All the one to me……its nothing more than a pipe and slippers gig…couldn’t give a shite either way..ain t voting!

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    Mute Sheelagh Hanly
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 11:48 PM

    People who don’t vote give up their right to comment.

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    Mute Brno Barking
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 11:17 PM

    PPPPPPPPPPPPPPLEASE Jebus let it end soon.

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