Department of forensic Science
Forensic department plays a vital role in criminal justice system as it provides scientific information through analysis of physical evidence.
Functions
- To conduct scientific examination, analysis, evaluation and interpretation of physical objects and materials (forensic samples).
- To provide evidence in a legally admissible form to the law enforcements
- To conduct and encouragement of research to expand forensic science services.
- To provide educational programs and materials to stakeholders
- To provide scientific advice and consultancy
- To assess the departmental risk, analysis and implement mitigation measures accordingly.
- To provide evidence in a legally admissible form to the law enforcements
The functions of toxicology laboratory
- Perform toxicological testing to identify the presence or absence of poisons in foods, biological samples (such as urine, viscera (lung, kidney, blood, vomits, liver, stomach content, intestines, etc.), water, soil, plants, and air samples for criminal and non-criminal cases;
- Quantify the confirmed poisons or toxicants in foods, biological samples (i.e. urine, viscera (lung, kidney, blood, vomits, liver stomach content, intestines, spleen etc.), water, soil, plants, and air samples for criminal and non-criminal cases;
- Interpret the toxicological results to determine the cause of harm or death;
- Analyze biological samples for the presence of alcohol to ascertain whether a person was drinking at the time of an incident and whether such a concentration might explain the behavior of that person;
- Carry out research and offer advice on all toxicology-related topics;
- Give testimony in court as an expert witness;
- Inform stakeholders about sample management and toxicological sampling procedures;
- Perform toxicological analysis on any issues of national or public concern;
- Create, validate, and evaluate laboratory techniques or methods;
- Create, put into practice, and evaluate standard operating procedures;
- Dispose of biological samples and specimens from laboratories; and
- Participate in Proficient Testing (PT) programs to help laboratory methods get accredited.
Forensic Chemistry Laboratory will perform the following activities:-
- Determination and confirmation the amount and type of illicit drug(s) submitted to the Laboratory for analysis of seized materials as exhibit such as cannabis, khat, heroin, cocaine, and etc.
- Analyse powders, tablets and capsules to determine the presence or absence of drugs abuse for criminal cases.
- Analyse liquids and liquid formulations to determine the presence or absence of drugs abuse for criminal cases.
- Analyse food stuffs to determine the presence or absence of drugs of abuse for criminal cases.
- Analyse biological specimens such as urine, and blood in order to determine the presence or absence of drugs abuse for criminal and non-criminal cases.
- Quantify the confirmed drug(s) for criminal and non-criminal cases.
- Provide expert witness before the court of law.
- Carry out research activities related to Forensic Chemistry.
- Carry out analysis on any matter of national or public interest related to Forensic Chemistry.
- Develop, validate, verify and review laboratory methods.
- Prepare, implement and review of Standard Operating Procedures in a lab.
- Carry out disposal procedures of biological specimens and forensic Chemistry laboratory wastes.
- Periodical participation in proficient testing to facilitate accreditation of laboratory methods.
- Provide advisory services on any matter related to Forensic Chemistry.