Lisa Bolinder is Chair of the Police Cooperation Working Party whose work this autumn has included negotiating a framework decision on the accreditation of forensic laboratories which will make it easier to assess the quality of evidence in criminal investigations.

What does this decision mean?
The aim of the framework decision is to ensure that DNA and fingerprint evidence that is exchanged between law enforcement agencies in different Member States maintains high, even standards. It means that all forensic laboratories in the EU will be accredited by the relevant national accreditation bodies as meeting an international standard.

Has it been difficult to negotiate this decision?
Since it’s a binding decision, the text has been carefully scrutinised. The Member States have agreed on the purpose of raising standards, but some raised objections against the costs and did not want the decision to include fingerprints. It was, however, possible to reach agreement largely owing to the fact that the implementation period for the decision is quite long. 

How often has the Working Party met and who has participated?
We have met twice a month, but as Chair, I have travelled more often to Brussels to meet the European Parliament and hold bilateral talks with other Member States. Most of the participants in the Working Party have been police officials and representatives from ministries of the interior. One representative of Europol always attends and sometimes someone from INTERPOL. Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein also take part for Schengen-related issues.

What has been the biggest challenge?
Many Member States have taken part in voluntary cooperation, but the challenge has been to produce a binding document that all countries can agree on. This has required intensive contacts between Member States in order to find solutions.

What other issues have you dealt with in the Working Party?
One of the things we have discussed is drug profiling. Profiling enables us to find out whether narcotic substances from different investigations come from one and the same manufacturer. There have also been a number of sub-working groups who have been working on police cooperation on vehicle crime and football-related violence.

What has been best about holding the Chair?
You are always moving forwards, as there is a clear goal. It has been fun to be in touch with colleagues in other countries and with the Council Secretariat, even between meetings. I have learned that you need measures at different levels to succeed with an issue, and how important it is to be active. I have also gained a lot of experience in negotiating and leading international meetings.