Dubai: Dubai Police have launched a new educational initiative, ‘A Police Scientist in My School’, to introduce students to the practical applications of science in policing and demonstrate how forensic evidence helps solve crimes and support justice.

The initiative, launched by the Dubai Police Scientists Council in collaboration with the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology and the Hemaya Schools Office, coincides with World Science Day for Peace and Development, observed annually on 10 November.

The international occasion highlights the importance of science in everyday life and its contribution to sustainable development and the advancement of societies.

The initiative involves visits by Dubai Police experts to schools across the emirate, where students will participate in educational lectures, practical workshops and simplified scientific experiments connecting classroom learning with real applications in forensic science.

Through interactive activities, students will explore forensic analysis tools and discover how specialists use observation, measurement and comparison to examine physical evidence and interpret findings.

Inspiring Future Scientists

Lieutenant Colonel Dr Engineer Humaid Sultan Dalmouk Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Dubai Police Scientists Council, emphasised that discovering scientific talent begins at school, where students have opportunities to experiment with what they learn and understand its practical applications.

He explained that the initiative reflects the council’s commitment to bringing scientific expertise into classrooms, encouraging curiosity, experimentation and analytical thinking among young learners.

“Discovering scientific talent begins at school, when students have the opportunity to test what they learn and see its impact in real life,” he said.

He added that introducing students to scientific career paths within policing at an early age helps broaden their educational and professional horizons while contributing to the development of a new generation of specialists capable of advancing police sciences in the future.

Understanding the Science Behind Investigations

Major Expert Mohammed Thani Al Marri, Head of the Chemical Fingerprint Development Section at the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology and Head of the Initiative’s Working Team, explained that even the smallest physical trace can provide valuable information to investigators when properly collected, documented and examined using rigorous scientific procedures.

He noted that the practical experiments introduce students to the methodology followed by forensic specialists, from identifying and examining evidence to comparing findings and interpreting results within the limits of what the evidence supports.

“This process helps students understand how scientific examination can establish the circumstances surrounding an incident and support criminal investigations,” he explained.

Nearly 250 Students Participate

The initiative’s inaugural event was hosted by Hemaya Boys School, bringing together nearly 250 students from four educational institutions: Hemaya Boys School, Dubai National School in Al Twar, Dubai International School in Al Quoz and Next Generation School.

The programme began with a lecture on specialised forensic sciences, introducing students to the responsibilities of crime scene investigators and the procedures followed when examining scenes, documenting physical traces, and collecting and preserving evidence.

Experts explained how different types of evidence require specific handling and preservation methods to maintain their integrity until they undergo forensic examination.

The event also featured an interactive discussion, allowing students to ask questions and explore how investigators move from observing physical evidence to drawing scientifically supported conclusions.

Students then visited interactive scientific stations, where they examined examples of field investigation techniques and gained firsthand experience with the tools used to recover fingerprints and collect evidence.

Students Become Crime Scene Investigators

One of the event’s highlights was a practical exercise in a specially prepared room designed to simulate a crime scene.

Students took on the role of forensic investigators, examining the scene, searching for physical traces placed within fictional scenarios and discussing what the evidence revealed.

They were then encouraged to present their conclusions about the circumstances of each simulated incident, applying the observation, examination and analytical techniques introduced during the workshops.

The experience received an enthusiastic response from participating students, who expressed their excitement at applying their newly acquired knowledge and experiencing some of the responsibilities undertaken by forensic specialists.

The initiative aims to strengthen students’ scientific understanding, stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to explore future opportunities in forensic science and other specialised fields within policing.