Dubai Police Crime Scene Department Lifts Nearly 270,000 Traces in Three Years
The General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology has achieved significant results in supporting criminal investigations through advanced scientific practices and technological innovation.
Dubai Police’s Crime Scene Department has demonstrated remarkable operational achievement, lifting 269,707 physical and digital traces from crime scenes between 2023 and August 2026. These forensic breakthroughs have directly supported criminal investigations and contributed to the identification of suspects across numerous cases.
The Department has recorded a 17% improvement in performance according to annual institutional assessment reports, reflecting enhanced efficiency and field response capabilities. Most notably, response times to crime scenes in Deira and Bur Dubai have improved substantially over four years, declining from an average of 18 minutes to 16 minutes.
Colonel Expert Dr. Abdullah Al Shemmari, Director of the Crime Scene Department, emphasised the significance of these developments. He highlighted that the Department treats crime scenes as the primary foundation for building criminal evidence, operating within an integrated system that combines rapid response, meticulous inspection and documentation, efficient evidence lifting, preservation and transfer, and rigorous chain-of-custody protocols.
The Department’s commitment to excellence extends to continuous investment in personnel capabilities, specialised disciplines, and cutting-edge technologies. To maintain operational readiness, the Department has conducted 39 field scenarios simulating various types of crime scenes, enabling teams to apply their expertise in realistic environments.
Specialised development initiatives include the Crime Scene Diploma, Soil Fingerprinting, and the Smart Crime Scene system. The Department has also established expert teams in bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic archaeology, post-blast investigation, forensic entomology, and crisis management forensics, alongside a dedicated unit focused on ISO 17020 compliance procedures.
Training and knowledge transfer have been prioritised across the organisation. Staff have undertaken specialised courses in forensic archaeology, latent and blood-contaminated fingerprint lifting, and explosive trace analysis. Beyond internal development, the Department has extended knowledge-sharing to external partners, with over 1,200 individuals benefiting from specialised workshops, including police stations, ambulance services, transport security, hotels, educational institutions, and customs authorities.
Governance enhancements reflect the Department’s dedication to international standards. The General Department has adopted all operational procedures in accordance with ISO 17020 standards, subjecting field operations and administrative processes to annual external audits by specialised bodies.
Technological advancement underpins operational excellence. The Department employs digital twin technology, three-dimensional imaging systems for crime scene documentation, integrated criminal case management systems supporting digital transition, barcode systems for evidence tracking, and the Athar Digital Platform, enabling seamless information integration and evidence preservation.
Source: WAM