Forensic DNA Evidence Helps To Catch Rapists in Somalia for the First Time in History

Most African countries have few to none forensic bureaus or institutions. Forensic science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientifically-based information through the analysis of evidence.

It is a big moment in Somalia's history as a court in Garowe used forensic DNA evidence to convict three men accused of the rape and murder of 12 year old Aisha Ilyas. This is the first time forensic DNA evidence is being used to land a conviction in Somalia.

Ilyas was abducted on February 24 at a market in nothern Galkayo. Her body was found the next morning near her home. A post-mortem found that she had been gang-raped then strangled to death. The incident sparked mass demonstrations held across Puntland and the hashtag #JusticeforAisha was created. On Sunday, May 12, the men responsible for her rape and death were finally convicted thanks to forensic science.

The Bureau of Forensic Science of Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, was officially inaugurated on Spetember 6, 2017, in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia. It is the first of its kind in Somalia. Funding for the bureau was by the Swedish government and was facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund. The bureau has three sections: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and physical and trace evidence.

According to the press release, crimes related to gender-based violence were of a priority since the inception of the bureau due to "habitual rapists" who were "let loose to prey in Puntland and other places in Somalia simply because there was no scientific proof linking these criminals to the horrific crimes they had committed".