A brief history of forensic services in Tanzania: Current challenges and mitigation efforts

In this article we review the history of forensic science in Tanzania from the British colonial era to post independent Tanzania. We interrogate the objectives and the use of forensic services during the colonial time and how that differs from with the present forensic service in Tanzania. Step-by-step we report and describe how the Tanzania Police Force, as an intelligence service organ, established various scientific investigation sections to cater for the changing forensic demands over time. This article portrays the administration and operational structure of the forensic bureau of the Tanzania Police Force, legal framework, the admissibility of forensic evidence, and provides some relevant examples of present-day forensic challenges and mitigation measures under consideration. Furthermore, we illustrate the problems facing the forensic service of Tanzania by highlighting the most important issues while considering some solutions. In summary, we present the history of scientific criminal investigation in one of the countries of East Africa, illustrating their origin, their current state, and their future. We hope that this article will shed some light on future forensic science for researchers from Tanzania and East Africa in general.