Uhuru opens DCI’s new ultra-modern forensic lab
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday presided over the official opening of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) National Forensic Laboratory.
The lab will serve as a core forensic unit entrusted with carrying out Forensic Crime Scene Investigations to interrogate a scene of crime scientifically.
"It is done to discover evidential ingredients and any other investigative information that may be realized from the analytical processes at a scene of crime.
"While attending to crime scenes, experts process and examine the scenes scientifically, to trace, package, and label recovered evidence, in order to prove the culpability of a suspect or exonerate those not involved in a specific crime," DCI said in a statement.
How the lab will help DCI detectives
The unit is also instrumental in crime scene reconstruction, a forensic discipline that involves the experts in unraveling the series of events that surround the commission of a crime.
"The experts under this unit are capable of placing criminals to scenes of crime scientifically, through hidden fingerprint search development and recovery," DCI added.
The experts analyse the mode of operation of criminals through crime scene pattern analysis, which is essential in identifying similar crimes committed by a specific suspect and linking them to those crimes.
"Among other vital investigative roles, the unit also conducts vehicle identification and serial numbers verification and restoration in vehicles and firearms.
"Besides giving their expert opinion in court, the investigators also offer guidance and assist investigators in matters relating to crime scene preservation and exhibit handling," DCI said.
