The latest annual police crime report for 2024 has revealed a notable increase in forensic requests and crime scene investigations, highlighting a growing demand for forensic services in law enforcement.
According to the report, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) received a total of 2,994 requests for forensic assistance over the year.
A total of 1,805 expert forensic reports were released, while 151,352 police clearance certificates were issued.
Crime scene processing saw a significant rise, with 42,416 crime scenes examined—an increase of 3,375 from the 39,041 crime scenes processed in 2023.
The forensic laboratory reported an overall clearance rate of approximately 60.3%, reflecting a slight decline from the 60.8% recorded in 2023.
Despite this minor drop, the report underscores the pivotal role of forensic investigations in resolving criminal cases.
Among the various forensic departments, the department of questioned documents issued the highest number of forensic reports, totaling 627—of which 463 were related to criminal cases and 164 to civil cases.
The Digital Forensics Department followed closely, issuing 446 reports (431 criminal and 15 civil).
The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Analysis (CBRNE-A) Department recorded the lowest output, issuing 256 reports.
Crime scene investigations varied throughout the year, with January, October, and December reporting the highest numbers—3,715, 3,701, and 3,842 cases processed, respectively. February had the lowest number of crime scenes processed, totaling 3,231.
The findings of the 2024 annual police crime report underscore the increasing reliance on forensic science in crime resolution.
Authorities have emphasized the need for continued investment in forensic infrastructure and capacity-building to enhance efficiency in criminal investigations and justice delivery.