On 29 August, 2024 and 12 September, 2024, groups of investigators and criminologists of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) completed practical two-week courses "Aerial video shooting for evidence collection". 30 specialists from all regions of Ukraine mastered skills of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to inspect and document scene of war and other crimes.

UAVs are effective tools for collecting evidence, which not only helps investigators and criminologists to perform their work quickly and comprehensively, but also ensures their safety, because it provides opportunity to inspect objects and area remotely. Use of UAVs in dangerous or hard-to-reach places, places of destruction and on large areas of territory becomes an integral modern technical means of recording trace information, capable of safely performing traditional types of photography used by members of investigative team during inspection of crime scenes. Important advantage of aerial video shooting during collection of evidence is not only ability to quickly collect, process and organize a large amount of data, but also to create 3-D models of surveyed objects with help of high-quality photo and video materials. During investigation, such models can be used by investigators without need to visit inspection site again.

Course participants mastered theoretical basics of working with UAVs and got acquainted with technical characteristics of equipment. However, during the course, certified trainers - Council of Europe experts focused on mastering practical skills of using UAVs in activities of SBI investigators and criminologists. Participants learned to directly control UAVs and take photos and videos, choose optimal parameters according to working conditions, as well as capture, process, systematize, store and properly use footage.

The course is part of the Council of Europe project "Strengthening Ukrainian Law Enforcement Agencies During War and Post-War Period".