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Police Forensic Evidence Found in Trash Container

10.03.2010 16:52 (updated 10.03.2010 19:22)

Image: YLE

A trash skip outside police HQ in Helsinki provided passers-by with a wealth of forensic data.

Police chiefs in Helsinki have been taken aback by investigation evidence recovered from a trash container outside their headquarters. Passers-by found forensic evidence such as emergency centre tapes, suspect interview data, hair and blood stained clothes.

News of the find was first published on the website of the magazine, Voima.

Trash had been deposited in the skip during an office move at police headquarters in Pasila . The contents were open to all those passing by.

A YLE journalist found a bullet-proof vest and cassette tapes containing conversations between officers and emergency centres relating to ongoing incidents.

On one recording, a woman caller is heard graphically telling police about a brutal stabbing complete with the names of the victims and assailant.

Also found from the container was another clearly marked tape, a partly torn passport and a pile of ripped photographs taken during an autopsy.

Commenting on the find, Helsinki’s Deputy Police Commissioner, Jari Liukku, said he did not believe the material contained sensitive data.

”We heard about the trash skip material two days ago and now an investigation is underway,” he said.

Police are examining how the documents and other materials could fall into the hands of outsiders. Liukku emphasized the police adhered to strict rules over handling personal data and confidential material.

Data Protection Ombudsman, Reijo Aarnio has demanded police investigate the matter and ensure officers were fully conversant with data protection laws. He reminded that contravention of data protection legislation was a punishable offence.YLE

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