EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS
FUND FOR BILATERAL RELATIONS

INITIATIVE PROPOSAL


Title of the initiative: "Supporting the development of laboratory information systems LIMS and biometric technology in the Estonian forensic service"


Implementing entities (beneficiary state):

Estonian Forensic Science Institute ([email protected])
Centre of Registers and Information Systems ([email protected])



Partner(s) (donor and/or beneficiary state entity; minimum one donor state entity):

National Criminal Investigation Service (Norway, [email protected])


Bilateral priority area identified by the JCBF beyond the programmes:
• promotion of core European values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights for all people, regardless of their racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity;
• E-governance (digitalization)
• eastern partnership
• equality and equal treatment
• competitive business environment, sustainable and adaptive governance (based on “Competitiveness Plan for 2020” approved by the Government of Estonia)





Allocation (total sum): EUR 77 300
(A more detailed project budget description in the activity plan)



Short description of the initiative:
High quality and capacity of forensic laboratories are invaluable contributions to effective law enforcement. Addressing both domestic and European level crime requires up-to-date forensic equipment and methods, further strengthened by the transfer of knowledge and sharing of experience among European countries. The activities proposed in this initiative seek to provide an up-to-date basis for the beneficiary's further development in modern forensic technologies. In combination with sharing of competence, experience and expertise beneficial for both partners, the initiative aims to strengthen the bilateral relations between Estonia and Norway within the area of forensic science. The project will focus on the following two main components:

• Development of laboratory information system LIMS in Estonia
• Biometric technology

Development of laboratory information systems in Estonia
NCIS will support EFSI in strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of their laboratory system. The initiative will support the ongoing development in Estonia of a new laboratory information system (KEIS2) by having NCIS share its experience and best practice and solutions in similar software and working methods (LIMS), enabling a better end product for EFSI. This activity is the third in line within this area and will particularly focus on the workflow in the LIMS – system limited to chemistry.

Biometric technology
NCIS will offer an introduction and share information of the workflow in the field of biometric technology both facial recognition and fingerprint analysis.

Online training in fingerprint analysis
An online training in fingerprint analysis for both Estonian and Norwegian experts will be provided by an external educator in the field. A meeting between the Norwegian and Estonian expert will take place in Tallinn after the online training for the purpose of sharing experience and competence in the field of finger print analysis.



Activity plan:

Activity
Time
Location
Costs
Participants
1

Expert group meeting covering:
• KEIS2/LIMS experience exchange and development support

• Biometric technology


September 2024 working days (plus arrival day)

Oslo, NCIS
8 x international travel cost (EUR 500) =
EUR 4000

6 x accommodation (EUR250) x 2 nights = EUR 3000
+
2 x accommodation (EUR 250) x 3 nights = EUR 1500

6 x daily allowances (EUR 50) x 3 days =
EUR 900
+
2 x daily allowances (EUR 50) x 4 nights = EUR 400

= EURO 9800


16 x conference participant costs (EUR 120) x 3 days = EUR 5760

16 x networking dinner (EUR 90) = 1440 EUR

= EURO 7200

Total activity cost =
EUR 17 000


EFSI and RIK staff working with KEIS2 development (Total 8 persons)

NCIS experts from the Forensics department

2
Training in fingerprint analysis, 5 weeks course by an external educator
January / February 2025
Online
EUR 50 000
EFSI experts 5 persons

NCIS experts from the Forensics and ID Department (5 persons)

3
Expert group meeting biometric and finger print
March 2025
Tallinn
5 x international travel cost (EUR 700) = 3500 EUR

5 x accommodation (EUR 200 ) x 2 nights = EUR 2000

5 x daily allowances (EUR 100) x 3 days = 1500 EUR

EUR 7000

10 x conference participant costs (EUR 120) x 2 days = 2400 EUR

10 x networking dinner (EUR 90) = EUR 900

= EUR 3300

Total activity cost =
10 300 EUR


NCIS experts, 5 persons



Total


77 300 Euro


Planned results1
OUTPUT
INDICATOR
TARGET
Best practice and knowledge transfer provided in the area of laboratory information management systems
Lessons learned for the further development of KEIS2
Y/N
Best practice and knowledge transfer provided in the area of biometric technology
Lessons learned for the further development of KEIS2
Y/N
Online training for Estonian and Norwegian expert trainees provided by an external educator in fingerprint analysis
Finger print experts staff capable of applying new and updated methods in finger print analysis

Y/N