Dubai Police have enhanced their crime-solving capabilities with the adoption of forensic genetic genealogy, an advanced scientific technique that allows investigators to identify suspects through distant genetic connections rather than direct DNA matches.
The initiative, implemented by the Genome Centre under the General Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminology, reflects Dubai Police’s commitment to innovation and science-driven policing in response to increasingly complex criminal cases.
Unlike traditional DNA profiling, which relies on exact matches within law enforcement databases, forensic genetic genealogy analyses unidentified DNA samples against international genetic platforms such as GEDMatch. These databases contain millions of genetic profiles voluntarily shared by individuals worldwide for research, justice, and public safety purposes.
By identifying distant relatives instead of exact matches, forensic experts can construct detailed family trees that gradually narrow investigative leads and ultimately pinpoint suspects. This method has proven especially effective in cases that remained unresolved using conventional forensic techniques.
Major General Ahmad Thani bin Ghalita, Director of the General Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminology, said the move demonstrates Dubai Police’s forward-looking approach to security and its determination to place science at the core of justice. He emphasized that Dubai Police aim not only to meet global standards but to help shape them, reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s safest cities.
Lt Colonel Expert Dr Mohammad Ali Al Marri, Director of the Genome Centre, explained that the technology goes far beyond traditional DNA analysis. By combining distant genetic mapping with artificial intelligence and advanced bioinformatics, specialists can develop highly accurate investigative pathways that guide authorities toward the correct individual.
He added that the use of AI-driven analysis further strengthens the Genome Centre’s role as a leading scientific hub and highlights Dubai Police’s leadership in advanced forensic science.
