The Section is responsible for the application of science in respect of crime prevention and crime detection in order to aid investigations. The Section is further responsible for giving expert evidence in courts of Law.
The Section performs the following specific functions:
a) Recover physical evidence from crime scenes, ranging from taking photographs to removing cartridges or samples of bodily fluids left at a scene etc.;
b) Store evidence in such a manner as to allow for evidence integrity and proper chain of custody;
c) Management of criminal records;
d) Apply the Automated Fingerprint System (AFIS) in the identification of criminals;
e) Facilitate the procurement of modern equipment for use in criminal investigations;
f) Present expert evidence in Courts of Law;
g) Facilitate the training of officers in Forensic sciences;
h) Interpret sample result to investigation officers;
i) Collecting, storing and analysing of evidence in order to aid investigations; and
j) Examine the teeth, alignment and overall structure of the mouth in order to identify the deceased persons whose bodies are in an unrecognizable state.
The Section is headed by one (1) Deputy Director – Forensics Investigations and Criminal Records (C2) (Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police) who is assisted by one (1) Assistant Director-Forensic Investigations and Criminal Records.
The Forensics Section comprises nine (9) Units/Laboratories is shown below:
i. Ballistics;
ii. Questioned Documents and Handwriting;
iii. Physical Scenes of Crime Laboratory;
iv. Chemistry Laboratory;
v. Biology Laboratory;
vi. Cyber and Digital Forensics Laboratory;
vii. Crime Statistics and Crime Analysis;
viii. Latent and Fingerprint Bureau; and
ix. Criminal Records Office.
The Laboratory is responsible for examination of evidence relating to firearms including the effects and behaviour of projectiles and explosive devices.
The Laboratory performs the following specific functions:
a) Compare the marks of a barrel’s rifling to striations on the bullet;
b) Re-construct a crime scene in order to determine how and when a weapon was used;
c) Perform chemical testing to determine whether or not a gun was fired or if an individual has recently fired a gun;
d) Present expert evidence to the courts of Law;
e) Present information to law enforcement officers to aid investigations; and
f) Manage exhibits.
The Ballistics Laboratory is supervised by the Head – Ballistics Laboratory (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Forensics Ballistic and Tool Mark Expert – Ballistics (Superintendent) and one (1) Cold and Throwing Weapons Expert (Superintendent).
The Unit is responsible for the examination of suspicious or questioned documents using scientific methods. The questioned document examination includes alterations, obliterations, paper analysis, forgery, origin, determining authenticity, or any other question.
The Unit performs the following specific functions:
a) Analyse documents that pertain to crimes and offering observations based on evidence.
b) Determine whether a document is genuine;
c) Identify or confirm who authored or created the document in question;
d) Determine the time frame in which the document was authored; and
e) Identify the materials used in its preparation, or uncover modifications to the original text – such as changes, additions, or deletions to the original text.
The Unit is supervised by one (1) Head – Questioned Documents and Handwriting (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Expert – Handwriting Examiner (Superintendent) and one (1) Expert – Questioned Documents (Superintendent).
The Laboratory is responsible for criminal investigations by documenting the conditions of crime scenes in order to obtain physical evidence.
The Laboratory performs the following specific functions:
a) Plan, organise and coordinate scene of crime activities;
b) Preserve the scenes of crime and evidence;
c) Document the scenes of crime and evidence;
d) Recognise, recover and preserve the physical evidence;
e) Transport, store and submit evidence to the laboratory;
f) Register exhibits collected from crime scenes; and
g) Provide expert evidence to the courts of law.
The Physical Scenes of Crime Laboratory is headed by a Head – Scenes of Crime and Photograph (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Expert – Trace Evidence (Superintendent) and one (1) Expert -Photography (Superintendent).
The Laboratory is responsible for analysing non-biological trace evidence found at crime scenes in order to identify unknown materials and match samples to known substances. Further, the Sub Section is responsible for analysis of biological samples to check for the presence of toxins and drugs.
The Laboratory performs the following specific functions:
a) Apply science (chemistry) to obtain evidence to aid investigations and possible prosecution of perpetrators of crime;
b) Provide information on the nature of substances present in an individual pertaining to an incidence;
c) Perform chemical tests on specimens;
d) Determine levels of contamination and make appropriate recommendations;
e) Process chemical exhibits in accordance to the set standards;
f) Maintain evidence integrity and chain of custody; and
g) Provide expert evidence in Courts of Law.
The Laboratory is supervised by the Head – Chemistry (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Expert – Analytical Chemistry (Superintendent) and one (1) Expert Physical Chemistry (Superintendent).
The Biology Laboratory is responsible for the examination of blood and other bodily fluids, hair, bones, insects and plant as well as animal remains in order to identify victims and support criminal investigations. Further, the Sub Section employs technology in the lab and in the field to collect and analyse biological evidence found on clothing, weapons and other surfaces to determine the time and occurrence of the crime.
The Laboratory performs the following specific functions:
a) DNA analysis;
b) Verify DNA profile information linking cases, or suspects with non-related cases;
c) Keep detailed logs and write reports of the findings;
d) Provide expert evidence in the Court of Law;
e) Examine insects associated with a human body (mainly decomposed bodies) in order to aid criminal investigations;
f) Manage the equipment of the Sub Sections according to the set standard;
g) Examine the teeth, alignment and overall structure of the mouth in order to identify the deceased persons whose bodies are in an unrecognizable state; and
h) Ensure the proper chain of custody so as to maintain evidence integrity.
The Biology Laboratory is headed by a Head – Biology (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Expert – Animal Science (Superintendent), one (1) Expert – Plant Science (Superintendent), two (2) Analyst – Serology and Animal DNA (Superintendent), one (1) Analyst – Odontology (Superintendent), one (1) Analyst – Entomology (Superintendent), one (1) Analyst – Trichology (Superintendent), one (1) Analyst – Botany (Superintendent) and one (1) Analyst – Environmental & Limnology (Superintendent).
The Laboratory is responsible for identification, seizure, acquiring and analysing all electronic devices related to Cybercrimes in order to collect digital evidence.
The Laboratory performs the following specific functions:
a) Digital scanning or capturing and enhancement and archiving of developed images;
b) Manage consumable stock;
c) Maintain equipment according to the set standards;
d) Investigate an attack that has already happened by recreating the attacker’s footsteps;
e) Investigate materials detected in digital technologies and the recovery of these items;
f) Identify, extract, seize, preserve, and document computer evidence through digital tools to produce evidence;
g) Provide expert evidence in the Court of Law.
The Cyber and Digital Forensic Laboratory is supervised by one (1) Head – Cyber and Digital Forensic (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Digital Expert (Superintendent) and one (1) Systems Analyst (Superintendent).
The Unit is responsible for generating comprehensive information that pinpoints the types and locations of the crime problems in the country. The Sub section is further tasked to analyse, identify, predict, and help in decision making.
The Unit performs the following specific functions:
a) Collect, collate and analyse data to ascertain the crime trends;
b) Interpret data into actionable information;
c) Provide useful information to aid formulation of crime prevention strategies;
d) Store and manage information for easy retrieval;
e) Review and examine daily crime reports in an effort to identify trends and patterns; and
f) Prepare written reports on crime trends.
The Crime Statistics Unit is headed by a Head – National Crime Statistics (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by one (1) Deputy Head – Crime Statistics (Superintendent).
The Unit is responsible for the identification of criminals to aid investigations and prosecution of offenders.
This Unit performs the following specific functions:
a) Apply the Automated Fingerprint System (AFIS) in the identification of criminals;
b) Custody and maintenance of Criminal Records;
c) Apply Forensic Fingerprint Science Technology to analyse palm, finger, foot and toe impressions for the purpose of issuance of Police Clearance Certificate;
d) Search and compare prints to establish the identity of individuals and that of unknown dead bodies;
e) Provide forensic fingerprint expert evidence in courts of law on fingerprint identifications;
f) Search and compare fingerprints as well as the maintenance of fingerprint files;
g) Process fingerprint impressions for criminal and non-criminal matters, and
h) Compile data and write report on crime Statistics.
The Unit is headed by a Head – Latent and Fingerprint Investigations (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by Chief Latent and Fingerprint Investigations Officer (Superintendent).
The Unit is responsible for the effective management of records in order to ensure easy retrieval and utilisation of organizational information.
The Sub-Section performs the following specific functions:
a) Efficient and systematic control of the creation, receipt, maintenance, use and disposition of records for current and future references;
b) Storage and retrieval of records;
c) Disposal and archiving of records;
d) Create and maintain databases to ensure quick retrieval of information;
e) Classify and index files in order to facilitate easy access and retrieval; and
f) Secure records in order to facilitate confidentiality.
The Unit is supervised by Head – Criminal Records (Senior Superintendent) who is assisted by Chief Records Officer (Superintendent).