On Wednesday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council, inaugurated the Dubai Police Genome Centre within the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology. This initiative bolsters Dubai Police’s leadership in technology and science, focusing on advanced forensic tests in identification, genetics, and metagenomics to support law enforcement efforts.
Aligned with the UAE’s National Genomics Strategy, which aims to create an integrated framework for genomic programs and transform the country into a global research and innovation hub in this field, this move positions Dubai Police at the forefront of worldwide law enforcement agencies in genomic science.
The launch occurred during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to the Dubai Police Officers Club, where he was welcomed by Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and senior officials.
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan examined the Genome Centre’s organizational structure, comprising four key sections: Human Genome, Metagenome, Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology. The Human Genome section handles the analysis of degraded samples to determine individuals’ genetic backgrounds and conducts molecular autopsy testing.
The Metagenome section specializes in the examination of non-human and environmental samples to identify species or strains, while the Bioinformatics and Biotechnology sections are dedicated to utilizing artificial intelligence for statistical analysis of genomic data variants.
Additionally, this new center benefits from Dubai Police’s initiative to sponsor select employees and students for specialized genomics education at prestigious international universities.
Project on the Use of Insects in Forensic Investigations
During the visit, Sheikh Hamdan received a briefing on Dubai Police’s pioneering forensic entomology project, which stands as the Middle East’s inaugural initiative utilizing a regional database in this field. Dubai Police has acquired specialized expertise in this area as part of its ongoing development of forensic science capabilities for determining the causes of death.
The forensic entomology project team at the Genome Centre achieved a significant milestone by reducing the time required to obtain critical forensic results to under 24 hours. This accomplishment sets a new global standard, surpassing the average duration of 3 to 14 days seen in various countries worldwide. This remarkable achievement significantly enhances Dubai Police’s capabilities. The force has diligently trained experts and compiled a comprehensive scientific database using data from various geographic and climatic conditions. These efforts have enabled Dubai Police to excel in five key objectives: documenting local insect species, studying their life cycles, analyzing the impact of climate and geography, measuring growth rates, and effectively applying this data to real-world cases.
Cerebral Fingerprint System
During his visit, the Dubai Crown Prince also explored the impressive results achieved through the use of Dubai Police’s ‘Cerebral Fingerprint’ system in solving various criminal cases. This cutting-edge system utilizes a specialized device to measure suspects’ brainwave activity when they are exposed to images associated with the crime scene or the tools used in committing the crime.
The system provides precise insights into the suspect’s recollection of the crime, enhancing the professionalism and accuracy of security operations. Lt. Gen. Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri expressed his gratitude for the steadfast support of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. He underscored Dubai Police’s unwavering commitment to continually enhance its capabilities, ensuring safety and security and solidifying the UAE’s position as a regional and global exemplar of progress and prosperity.