Kenya’s crime lab gets FBI-style upgrade as DCI trains elite forensics team

Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched an upgraded forensic training program in partnership with the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), a U.S.-backed initiative. Over the next several months, 28 specialized analysts will undergo rigorous training at the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory (NPS-FL) to enhance their skills in DNA analysis, digital evidence collection, and advanced crime scene investigations.

This expanded capacity-building effort aims to bolster the use of scientific evidence in solving complex crimes, including murder, sexual offenses, terrorism, and organized crime. The training includes advanced courses in forensic serology and DNA analysis for the Forensic Biology Unit, as well as blood pattern analysis for the Forensic Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

By equipping analysts with world-class expertise in these high-tech forensic disciplines, the program seeks to improve the ability of investigators to gather, preserve, and analyze evidence that can withstand scrutiny in court. The partnership, which began in 2023, reflects a shared commitment to global forensic excellence, as highlighted by ICITAP delegation leader Mindy Prado.

This initiative is a significant step in modernizing Kenya's investigative capabilities, enabling investigators to rely more heavily on forensic analysis rather than solely on witness testimony and traditional investigative methods.