Kigali to host ASFM

For the first time in Kigali, there will be an ASFM meeting that will bring together experts in scientific evidence used in justice. It is a meeting that will be held on 7th to 10th March 2023, and will bring together about 40 countries purposely to find sustainable strategies together on how to strengthen the use of forensic evidence services, making Africa a safer continent.

Feb 3, 2023 - 14:07
Feb 3, 2023 - 16:36
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Kigali to host ASFM

The Rwanda Laboratory of Evidence Based on Science and Technology used in Justice, RFL, in collaboration with the African Society of Evidence Based on Science and Technology, organized an international conference aimed at learning together to develop this field, called ASFM23. It is expected that for the first time  this meeting leave  experts, companies and countries that have contributed to the development of this sector rewarded, and it will be done in order to encourage others.


 Dr, Charles Karangwa, RFL CEO in an interview with Inyarwanda, said that Rwanda was the best choice for the venue of the tenth meeting, because it has security and sufficient infrastructure. Among other things that have been considered are the efforts exerted by Rwanda  in fighting corruption, and the fact that it has shown particularity  in preparing and organizing various international conferences.


 In addition to  that , Rwanda  has a strong institution in the field of evidence services based on knowledge and skills used in justice, which has the ability to provide services that are needed without delaying. The conference is expected to be attended by more than 400 people from from differen parts of the world.


Dr.  Karangwa believes that Rwanda will benefit a lot from the meeting including the fact that she will continue to be recognized in the world, as a country that has developed evidence-based services that are used in justice.


The conference will be attended by experts and scientists in this field from the United States of America, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa.  
Rwanda has now made significant progress in this area because  the National Evidence Laboratory that was established in 2005, has been empowered and innovated in different ways, but it remained under the National Police control.

Later, to seek more professionalization, the laboratory has contracted with a British firm in order to empower  Key Forensic Services in Rwanda , to build and supply equipment for the laboratory. In this year, this Laboratory was removed from national police control and handed over to a legal status, called "Rwanda Forensic Laboratory: RFL" where it is now controlled  by the Ministry of Justice.


RFL currently provides services including DNA testing, blood analysis, postmortem testing, violent injury testing and ammunition testing.  The lab also tests audio and video, forensics, footprint testing, crime scene testing, and pollution testing. In  November last year, the RFL said that more than 20 African countries are consuming its services.