dc.description.abstract | This study sought to explore the state of forensics investigation in Kenya. In specific terms, the
study sought to describe the process of forensic investigation, establish the level of training of
the experts, examine systems in place for observing human rights and codes of ethics and the
challenges faced by forensic investigators in the country. The study was guided by actor network
theory which evolved from the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies that
study science and technology as influenced by social and cultural factors.
The study used both exploratory and descriptive research designs. It was conducted in Nairobi
County which has eight sub-counties and covered Central Nairobi, Embakasi and Kasarani. The
study targeted the practitioners in scenes of crime under forensics in the National Police Service.
Critical case sampling was used to select the units of analysis and 12 practitioners were selected
through snowball sampling. Information from key informants was used to cross-check the
validity of the responses from respondents and to strengthen the findings. Data were collected
using semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews. Qualitative data from key
informant interviews and semi-structured interviews from the scenes of crime were analysed
thematically and the respondent‟s verbal quotations presented using pseudonyms. .
The study found that the department has not achieved its full potential because of the breakdown
in the subsystems, thus rendering it slow and somehow inefficient. The department is not
advanced for it lacks modern equipment to handle sophisticated crime scenes and the
infrastructure in place is underdeveloped. In addition, due to inadequacy of specialized training
for the officers the department faces numerous challenges. The challenges range from individual,
institutional and sectional, and are experienced by all officers. These challenges prevent it from
meeting the expectations of the public and fails in ensuring there is good evidence to be
submitted to court. From the findings it can be concluded that the state of forensic investigation
in Kenya is very low for it has not achieved its full potential due to poor infrastructure, lack of
standard procedure to be followed, and absence of policies in terms of forensic investigation,
poor infrastructure and tools, and inadequacy of specialized experts to handle the scenes. Thus,
the study recommends empowering of the experts through training, improvement of facilities,
introduction of new technologies, proper funding and clearly outlined policies and codes of
conduct. | en_US |