Forensic lab key in war against crime

Kenya's dream of a national forensic facility that would help to solve crime scientifically has been elusive for many years.

The initial plans to set up the laboratory failed to materialise several decades ago, with every attempt being hampered by corruption that gobbled up billions of taxpayers' money.

The forensic laboratory had been identified as a security flagship project under Vision 2030, and was to be completed under the First Medium Term Plan (2008-2012).

Despite being classified under the security, peace building and conflict management sector, which plays a critical and strategic role in achieving the targets of the national development blueprint, the project failed to take off until March 2014, when the current administration launched it.

Over the past nine years, the government has invested heavily in the construction of the facility and installed modern equipment in the 10 scientific sections of the laboratory.

These are the forensic fingerprint identification, forensic document examination, forensic ballistics, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, forensic imaging & acoustics, forensic evidence management, forensic crime scene investigations, forensic digital, and the forensic bomb and hazardous materials laboratories.

Experts drawn from the directorate have been trained locally and internationally, and have been deployed in their respective areas of specialisation.

The laboratory is now fully operational and has been a game changer in the manner in which DCI investigate and scientifically solve crimes.

Crime Scene Investigations Unit

This is a core unit entrusted with carrying out investigations to interrogate a scene of crime.

It is used to discover evidential ingredients and any other information that can be realised from the analysis done at a scene of crime.

While attending to crime scenes, experts trace, examine, process, package and label recovered evidence in order to prove the culpability of a suspect or exonerate those who are innocent. The unit is also instrumental in crime scene reconstruction.

This is a forensic discipline that involves the unraveling of the series of events surrounding the commission of a crime.

It uses deductive and inductive reasoning, scientific methods, events analysis and physical evidence examination and their interrelationships. The experts are capable of scientifically placing criminals to scenes of crime, through hidden fingerprint search development and recovery.

They analyse the mode of operation of criminals through crime scene pattern analysis, which is essential in identifying similar offences committed by suspects and linking them to those crimes.

Among other vital investigative roles, the unit also conducts vehicle identification and serial numbers verification and restoration in motor vehicles and firearms.

Besides giving their expert opinion in court, the investigators also offer guidance and assist investigators in crime scene preservation and exhibit handling.

Forensic Chemistry Unit

This unit's critical role is carrying out analytical procedures and processes pertaining to interrogation of samples extracted from a scene of crime by exploiting their chemical properties.

Experts in chemical analysis and laboratory technicians have been deployed to this unit and their professional opinion that is purely guided by scientific findings is heavily relied upon in court.

They can do toxicological analysis of bloodstains, urine and blood gases for traces of poison or drugs in one's body. It also does the microscopy of gunshot powder residue on clothes and the skin to determine whether or not a suspected shooter may have fired a firearm or estimate the range of fire from the muzzle to the target.

The experts also analyse arson debris, which involves the examination of materials from a fire to determine the presence or absence of an ignition liquid or substance.

An analysis of explosives, which entails examination of post-explosion residues and identification of explosives on suspects' hands, clothes or any other material, is also done at the DCI Forensic Lab.

Experts are also trained to perform forensic soil analysis, which is used in placing a suspect at the scene of crime through extracting soil samples from their shoes and matching the sample with the soil at the site.

Forensic Biology Unit

The lab examines physical evidence and performs DNA testing on a range of biological materials gathered in respect to a specific case, before adducing their scientifically proven findings in court.

Experts at the lab apply the concepts and procedures of biological sciences in analysing cellular tissue samples and physiological fluids, relevant to a legal investigation.

The unit has been in the forefront in gathering, processing and analysing biological samples originating from crime and incident scenes.

Blood grouping and generating of DNA profiles of suspects, accused persons, convicted criminals and unidentified human remains is also done at the biological lab.

The lab also maintains a DNA Index System. The experts liaise with officers in the field and guide them in collecting samples and handling exhibits requiring forensic biology analysis in cases such as homicides and sex-related crimes.

Forensic Evidence Management Unit

This unit administers and controls evidence in its entire life cycle. Before receiving and dispatching exhibits to various labs for analysis, the unit scans the exhibits for safety while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality through Computer Aided Dispatch  that also aids in maintaining a chain of custody.

The unit is also able to control and track evidence from collection at a crime to its final disposition. The Laboratory Information Management System  offers statistical analysis that also guides crime research. With their expertise in handling evidence requiring forensic analysis, evidence management experts also dispose of the evidence after all the necessary tests have been carried out in the required manner.

The experts also offer scientific briefs to court on such related knowledge and advice to other law enforcement agencies.

Forensic Ballistics Unit

This section is entrusted with the examination and identification of firearms, ammunition and their component parts from all over the country and across the region.

Using sophisticated equipment such as the latest comparison microscopes and the automated ballistic identification system, the experts link firearms to specific crimes, thus assisting investigators to solve firearms-related crimes by providing crucial investigative leads and intelligence.

In the execution of its duties, the unit also conducts shooting incident reconstruction, gunshot residue and shot-pattern analysis. This aspect is critical in the reconstruction of a shooting scene, highlighting important leads such as the direction a shot was taken from.

Ballistics experts are also responsible for restoring erased firearm serial numbers. The Integrated Ballistics Identification System has also aided in the creation and maintenance of ballistics firearms database.

Forensic Document Examination Unit

The forensic examiners often deal with documents authenticity. To determine whether a document is genuine or not, an examiner may attempt to confirm who created the document, determine the timeframe in which it was created, identify the materials used in its preparation or uncover modifications to the original text.

Document examiners are also tasked with analysing handwriting and signatures as well as examining documents for evidence of alterations, obliterations, erasures and page substitutions.

The experts play a vital role in analysing forged travel documents such as visas and passports, indented writings, financial related documents, counterfeit currencies, seals and stamps impressions as well as forensic ink paper analysis.

Forensic Bomb and Hazardous Material Disposal Unit

This forensic unit provides prompt mitigation of explosives and other hazardous material. It is composed of highly skilled and exceptionally trained technicians in all manner of explosives.

These experts respond to bomb threats, explosives sweeps in mega VVIP functions, rendering safe possible improvised explosive devices, volatile chemicals, improvised explosive device reconstruction and bomber profiling.

Officers based at the unit also analyse data generated from explosive device investigations and maintains a bomb data centre. The bomb experts also utilise specialised equipment to approach, inspect, disarm and remove all types of explosive devices.

They also examine explosive devices in order to identify persons responsible for their manufacture and conduct advanced post-blast investigations.

The experts also assist local jurisdictions in evidence gathering and crime scene processing, while also giving expert opinions in court.

Anti-Terrorism Police Unit

Anti-Terrorism Police Unit  is an investigative unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations  mandated to mitigate terrorism-related cases.

Its key mandate is to counter violent extremism and effectively investigate all terrorism-related cases. The ATPU, through its highly trained personnel, is tasked with the prevention, detection, disruption and fighting terrorism.

Story was first published in The DCI, publication of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation