After the fire at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in 2023, the main laboratories were damaged and about 300 cases with toxicology results remained unfinished. According to legal experts, such delays harm judicial processes. 10 cases were sent for examination abroad, while renovations are nearing completion and the spaces are expected to be functional next week.
The lack of such a system caused everything to fall into ruins three years ago.
And now, after renovations, a modernized fire-fighting system has been installed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
But the 2023 fires blocked work in the main laboratory, due to the damage caused then.
Thus, there are nearly 300 cases that have not yet been concluded.
“July 2023 July 2026 there are about 1500 completed cases, completed in terms of autopsies. But there are about 300 cases awaiting toxicology results that we are hoping will be available soon after the laboratory is operational, after servicing and calibrating the equipment,” said Agron Thaqi, Acting Director of the IML.
Thaci announced the number of cases that had to be sent abroad.
“In this context, sending samples abroad is also the competence of the Prosecution, around ten cases have been sent abroad. The IML has agreements with a number of regional and European institutions, so we only help with the organization and communication of the work,” said Agron Thaqi, Acting Director of the IML.
However, the delay in results is estimated to affect the handling of cases by justice institutions.
“If the IML has been involved in a fire since the equipment was damaged and does not have capacity, this also hinders the judiciary, and considering that it is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Justice, the failure to empower the IML with capacity, equipment and technical capabilities is in some way a way for the government to hinder the judiciary from carrying out such work,” said Gëzim Shala, Researcher at the IKL.
In addition to the delay in reviewing court cases, lawyer Ardian Bajraktari says that this also harms the state.
“Of course, this also carries a financial cost due to the fact that, as is known, any such expertise is a financial burden. From this perspective, the Ministry of Justice should make these laboratories functional as soon as possible,” said Ardian Bajraktari, lawyer.
The laboratories, main autopsy room, and archive will be operational from next week, as renovations at the Institute of Forensic Medicine are almost complete.