Background
Forensic services in Rwanda began with the Kigali Forensic Laboratory (KFL), set up in 2005 by the Rwanda National Police in partnership with the National Public Prosecution Authority.
KFL forensic scientists were generalists performing all the basic analyses, and compelled to send samples abroad for advanced analyses.
There was an urgent need to build a state-of-the-art laboratory and to train forensic science specialists skilled at performing casework in the different forensic disciplines.
Recognizing these issues, the GoR invested heavily from 2011 onwards to enhance the laboratory infrastructure and the expertise of forensic scientists.
By 2016, advancement was significant and KFL was transformed into RFL by the Law N° 41/2016 of 15/10/2016 establishing the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory and determining its mission, organisation and functioning.
In addition, Prime Minister Order No 61/03 of 04/05/2017 determined the Ministry of Justice as supervising authority of Rwanda Forensic Laboratory, solving the predicament of forensic scientists working as law enforcement staff.
Since official inauguration in 2018, the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory expanded its services to include a wide range of forensic disciplines, catering to both local and international needs.
Considering the performance of RFL and the growing demand for advanced forensic expertise in the country and the region, the Presidential Order Nº 049/01 of 02/08/2023 established Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) to respond to the needs for fair justice administration.