The purpose of the meeting was to support coordinated activities between the two institutions and discuss the perspectives of overcoming challenges existing in the practice. The parties talked about possibilities of cooperation both in the investigative and personal data protection directions. 

Londa Toloraia mentioned that in order to ensure credibility of forensic expert reports, the State Inspector’s Service assigns all types of examinations only to LEPL Levan Samkharauli National Forensic Bureau. The State Inspector underlined the fact that during recent months, the time for issuing expert reports has significantly reduced, which considerably contributes to conduct of timely investigation. Despite the progress, attention was paid to the challenges – difficulties related to conduct of forensic expert reports issue by commission and the need for legislative changes in this regard, unavailability of forensic experts during weekends and after working hours, timeliness of forensic expert examination due to the restrictions to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The parties agreed on holding a joint meeting with the participation of the specialists of the field in the nearest future, as well as continuing close cooperation to overcome challenges.

During the meeting, the importance of a high standard of personal data protection was underlined in the process of activities of the National Forensic Bureau. Given that the Bureau of processes large amounts of personal data, including health and biometric data, further coordination between agencies is needed to prevent illegal data processing. In order to ensure the protection of individuals’ privacy and personal data, the parties agreed on implementing awareness-raising and other activities.

Effective cooperation between the State Inspector’s Service and LEPL Levan Samkharauli National Forensic Bureau significantly supports and will support overcoming the obstacles the Service faces.