More forensics personnel being recruited for police force

NSTP

Police forensics personnel will be increased to at least 300 by 2011.

Federal CID deputy director (intelligence/operations) Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah said the beefing up of the department was part of the force’s five-year plan.

The force now has 191 forensics personnel. Most of them are based at the police forensic laboratory in Cheras, with the remainder at the Selangor, Penang and Kedah contingents.

“The plan includes each state having its own forensic department, with the number of personnel to be based on their needs.”

Acryl was speaking after handing over certificates to five doctors appointed as reference specialists at the police forensic laboratory in Cheras yesterday.
They are Dr Nor'ashikin Saim from Universiti Teknologi Mara, Dr Mohamad Hadzri Yaakob and Dr Zafarina Zainuddin from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Umi Kalthom Ahmad from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Dr Liong Choong Yeun from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

The doctors, who specialised in various fields, will be assisting the police in analysing cases and problems.

Also present were forensic lab principal assistant director Datuk Abdul Malek Harun and his deputy ACP Dr Yew Chong Hooi.

Acryl said the Crime Scene Investigation department, to be set up at all police contingents, would also be needing more personnel.