By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) Tuesday inaugurated National Automated Fingerprint and Palmprint Identification System (AFIS) to boost up crime detection.
The launching was held at Police Headquarters in Banjul and authorities said it would significantly improve criminal investigations and support prosecutions.
Assistant Inspector General in charge of Crime Management, AIG Amie Nyassi, says the introduction of AFIS, alongside strengthened Scientific Support and Criminal Records services, marks a major shift in the country’s approach to crime detection and evidence handling.
She explained that processes which previously took days or weeks of manual work can now be completed within minutes, allowing investigators to respond faster and more efficiently.
“Evidence is no longer treated in isolation but as part of a connected national system that can link cases and identify repeat offenders,” she said, adding that the upgraded system would improve both the speed and quality of investigations.
Nyassi noted that the renovated Scientific Support facility now integrates key forensic units, including DNA, Chemistry, Questioned Document Examination, Cybercrime (Digital Forensics), and AFIS.
Inspector General of Police, Seedy Muctarr Touray, also described the system as a major upgrade in operational capacity, stressing that effective policing required both modern tools and proper infrastructure.
He says the newly equipped forensic laboratory, supported by partners including the European Union, ECOWAS, and INTERPOL, is now capable of processing fingerprint evidence within minutes.
Touray added that AFIS will reduce human error, strengthen prosecutions, and improve public confidence in the justice system. He described it as an “investigative engine” that allows fingerprint data collected at crime scenes to be matched instantly against a national database.
He further stated that the system will be deployed across security institutions, including immigration, drug enforcement, prisons, and regional police units, ensuring real-time data sharing.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Principal Administrative Secretary Kebba Nfally Darboe described the initiative as a shift toward a more digital and scientific policing framework.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining and maintaining the system as it transitions into full national ownership.
Authorities say the new platform is expected to strengthen crime detection, improve record management, and enhance overall confidence in law enforcement processes.