From 13 to 15 May 2025, RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in partnership with the University of Split, Department of Forensic Sciences, and the Croatian Firefighting Association, organized the regional Workshop “Future Directions in Fire Investigations” at the Regional Firefighting Center facilities in Vučevica, the Republic of Croatia.
The Workshop brought together senior national security policymakers, forensic experts, fire investigation professionals, and representatives from relevant ministries and academic institutions from Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Kosovo*.
The Workshop officially began with Opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC. He noted that this Workshop marks the fourth activity under the joint five-year project between RACVIAC and the University of Split, entitled “Improving Security Governance through Implementation of Forensic Science in State Institutions and Agencies.” Ambassador Grigorie emphasized the critical importance of fire investigations as a discipline that stands at the intersection of science, safety, and justice. He also highlighted that modern fires—driven by synthetic materials and evolving construction technologies—require updated investigative tools, rigorous scientific standards, and a unified approach across borders.
Following the Opening remarks, Welcome addresses were delivered by Josip Crnjac, Vice Head of the Faculty of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, and Ante Sanader, President of the Croatian Firefighting Community. Institutional presentations by the University of Split, RACVIAC, and the Croatian Firefighting Association introduced the Workshop’s goals and framework. In the afternoon, Panel 1 on Arson Investigation, moderated by Jelena Bućan (University of Split), featured insights from Prof. Timothy Palmbach (University of New Haven, USA) on U.S. practices, Dr. Ivana Bačić on Croatian casework, and Police Major Zsuzsanna Fodor on Hungary’s national approaches. The day concluded with a guided tour of Klis Fortress.
On 14 May, the Workshop shifted to practical application with Panel 2: Hands-on CSI. Technical briefings by the Croatian Firefighting Association and the Dalmatia County Firefighting Association set the stage for live demonstrations at the Vučevica Regional Training Centre.
The third and final day of the Workshop focused on Panel 3: Croatian Firefighting Association – Capability Demonstrations, and included a hands-on session held in Kaštel Štafilić.
The Workshop concluded with a final reflection session, where participants discussed the knowledge and skills they had gained over the three days. In his Closing remarks, RADM Predrag Stipanović, Deputy Director of RACVIAC, expressed gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partners, emphasizing the importance of the knowledge exchange and the establishment of strong networks to advance fire investigation practices across South East Europe. Finally, certificates were given to all participants of the Workshop.
*This Designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence (In accordance with arrangements regarding regional representation and cooperation.)
