Background

Forensic services in Rwanda began with the Kigali Forensic Laboratory (KFL), set up in 2005 by the Rwanda National Police in partnership with the National Public Prosecution Authority. KFL forensic scientists were generalists performing all the basic analyses, and compelled to send samples abroad for advanced analyses. There was an urgent need to build a state-of the-art laboratory and to train forensic science specialists skilled at performing casework in the different forensic disciplines. Recognizing these issues, the GoR invested heavily from 2011 onwards to enhance the laboratory infrastructure and the expertise of forensic scientists. By 2016, advancement was significant and KFL was transformed into RFL by the Law N° 41/2016 of 15/10/2016 establishing the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory and determining its mission, organisation and functioning. In addition, Prime Minister Order No 61/03 of 04/05/2017 determined the Ministry of Justice as supervising authority of Rwanda Forensic Laboratory, solving the predicament of forensic scientists working as law enforcement staff. Since official inauguration in 2018, the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory expanded its services to include a wide range of forensic disciplines, catering to both local and international needs. Considering the performance of RFL and the growing demand for advanced forensic expertise in the country and the region, the Presidential Order Nº 049/01 of 02/08/2023 established Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) to respond to the needs for fair justice administration.

Email:
info@rfi.gov.rw

P.O.Box:
P.O Box: 979 Kigali-Rwanda

Toll Free:
4636

Phone:
+250788320930

Our Mission

RFI has the mission to provide its clients with services of conducting scientific analysis of evidence for judicial purposes and services requested by individuals or other institutions and organizations whether inside or outside the country.

Our Vision

Rwanda Forensic Institute aspires to be internationally recognized and a regional hub in forensic science; committed to pioneering innovations, championing excellence in forensics, and upholding the highest standards of accuracy and integrity; to effectively serve the community, ensuring fair administration of justice and enhancing public safety.

Our Values

  • Integrity

  • Impartiality

  • Excellence

  • Professionalism

  • Collaboration

Our Responsibilities

The forensic process is a meticulous and systematic approach used to gather, analyse and interpret evidence.

RFI experts are often requested to support crime scene investigators in sample collection. In particular, biological samples for DNA profiling and toxicological analysis are collected by RFI staff in the laboratory or on crime scene. Biometrics collection requiring specific equipment is also performed on field by RFI experts.

However, the main responsibility of Rwanda Forensic Institute is to conduct scientific analysis of exhibits received from criminal investigation and provide forensic evidence to judiciary for use in courtrooms.

Many types of exhibits are analysed:

  1. whole body or samples from human body including bone and teeth, biological fluids (bile, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pus, semen, urine, vitreous humor), cells (buccal or vaginal epithelium, muscle) and tissues, gastric content, hair, nails, vomit;

  2. samples related to person identification i.e. fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, iris and face, data from digital support (audio, image and video);

  3. poison, drugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, toxic plants and any other toxic substance;

  4. samples from animals or plants, food or water, for species identification or pathogens detection;

  5. currency, identity documents, licenses, specimens of handwriting or signature, travel documents;

  6. weapons and other tools used in the commission of a crime;

  7. electronic devices or components.

Results must be dutifully notified in a written report addressed to the requesting institution, organization or individuals. RFI preserves and retains evidence, and stores the data related to the analyses in accordance with laws.

If necessary, the attendance of RFI scientific experts might be required in courtroom to complement the written report with expert testimony.

Rwanda Forensic Institute responsibilities include an important training component:

  1. RFI shall support intensive participation to seminars, webinars and workshops in order to keep the staff up to date with new technologies and international forensic standards;

  2. RFI shall provide professional development modules to the scientific staff members as part of accreditation process;

  3. RFI shall design tailor-made trainings to all the stakeholders in justice sector for a significant improvement of forensic service quality; 

  4. RFI shall contribute to teaching programmes in forensic sciences with the aim of reaching a critical mass of high skilled forensic scientists in Rwanda and the region.

The ability to gather, analyse, interpret and communicate criminal evidence accurately is central to fair and impartial administration of justice.Through innovation, research and development, Rwanda Forensic Institute aim to address the different challenges faced by forensic practitioners from crime scene to court:

  1. RFI shall answer real forensic questions from discipline practices and provide results that can be translated in practical applications;

  2. RFI shall improve or develop methods, techniques and technology that enhance forensic science results, help to reduce the backlog of forensic evidence and the cost of forensic examinations;

  3. RFI shall provide tools for effective standardized protocols that will improve repeatability and reproducibility of results, minimizing wrongful convictions;

  4. RFI shall foster innovation to face the increasing complexity and the evolving nature of criminal cases;

RFI shall contribute to enhanced communication and collaboration with all the stakeholders.