1. To prevent crime
2. To detect Crime
3. To investigate crime
4. To protect life and property
5. To collect and analyze data

DEPARTMENTS UNDER CRIME INVESTIGATIONS

1. Electoral and Political Crime
2. General Crime
3. Economic Crime
4. Anti-Narcotics Crime
5. Homicide Crime
6. Anti-Corruption Crime
7. Media Crimes

DEPARTMENTS UNDER CRIME INTELLIGENCE

1. Analysis and dissemination
2. Crime Data management
3. Collation
4. Apart from the above ,there are three other operational Dependants

• Forensic services
• Rapid Response unit.
• Land protection unit

All Departments and Divisions are supported by the Department of Administration in terms of training personnel, Welfare and logistical support.

FORENSIC SERVICES DEPT
BACKGROUND
Forensic services is the technical/scientific arm of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation
It was previously known as Identification Bureau and was started  as a criminal records office in 1908 by Captain YOUNG- a British man. It was later renamed Identification Bureau  by the Identification of offenders Act of 1964 Cap 113 and the CID Standing orders of 1984
Identification bureau was upgraded to forensic services in light of current plans to expand and modernize its activities to incorporate new branches of forensic science

THE LEGAL INSTRUMENT

• The identification bureau was created under legal instrument of Identification of offenders Act 1964 chapter 113 page 250 vol iv of the laws of Uganda and the CID standing orders, 7th edition page 119 0f 1984.
• Forensic services consists of the following  operational sections:
• Fingerprint Branch, Scenes of Crime office, Criminal Records office, Questioned Documents and Photography.
• In addition, there are plans to introduce additional services like DNA profiling, Toxicology, Ballistics and a general analytical laboratory.

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD

• Presently , it is only scenes of crime office(soco) which has been developed to the regions, districts and major stations

CURRENT ACTIVITES

• The custody and maintenance of criminals records
• Classification, filling and maintenance of fingerprint in the main collection
• Searching fingerprint records to trace criminals records /histories of wanted persons
• Supplying certificate of conviction and providing information regarding proof of previous conviction by means of fingerprint
• Preparing fingerprint exhibit for court
• Examining questioned documents and present evidence in court
• Preparation of photographic evidence from scenes of crime and of suspects as well as preparing photographic evidence for court
• Visiting scenes of crime to search for physical and trace evidence
• Lifting and developing latent finger/palm print and shoe/tyre marks from crime scenes.
• Packaging, marking, and labeling of physical evidence
• Comparing crime scene marks against the suspects fingers or shoe prints as well as against fingerprint records.
• Vetting and issuing certificates of good conduct to individuals seeking employment with organizations and foreign embassies.

REASONS FOR CHANGE TO FORENSIC SERVICES

• To provide quality scientific evidence in the administration of justice
• To provide and maintain scientific data in the management of crime.
• To combat criminal techniques used in obscuring and hiding evidence
• To develop capacity for combating cyber crime.
• To link and network with other forensic science laboratories in other countries for effective management of crime.

THE WAY FORWARD

• A modern forensic laboratory that meets internationally recognized standards is under construction.
• There is need to liase with friends and development partners for provision of equipment and of training facilities in forensic sciences.