Belize National Forensic Science Service

15/07/2026

Interim Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Julius Espat, commenced an introductory tour of the NFSS Forensic Laboratory today, July 15th.

As part of his first visit to Belize’s only Forensic Laboratory that analyzes various types of evidence across six different disciplines, the Interim Minister of Home Affairs was briefed on ongoing initiatives to improve forensic science in Belize, the NFSS's developments over the years that strengthened capacity to support criminal investigations and prosecutions, and some current challenges faced daily in the provision and use of forensic science services for the administration of justice in Belize.

Today's visit focused on evidence management and storage, toxicology analysis, analysis of illicit drugs, fi****ms evidence examination and comparison analysis, Rapid DNA analysis and the establishment of a National DNA Database. The Commissioner of Police also accompanied the Minister on today's visit to the NFSS Laboratory.

23/06/2026

The National Forensic Science Service, of the Ministry of Home Affairs, pays tribute to its outstanding Staff Members on International Public Service Day

Who comes to mind when you hear the phrase "a good public servant"? Perhaps you don't often think of the 72 men and women of the Belize NFSS who work tirelessly across the country everyday to pursue justice for the victims of crime, who help families seek closure as they grapple with the loss of a loved one, who help to protect the rights of accused persons to a fair trial through the provision of reliable and objective forensic evidence, and who do all of this within the complex environment of the Belize Public Service.

The often unrecognized, under-appreciated yet unrelenting forensic scientists and administrators stationed across Belize who keep the NFSS operating every single day, all help to ensure that the criminal investigative, criminal justice and vital statistics functions of government continue unimpeded in pursuit of a safe and just society. On , celebrated every year on June 23, we make special mention of these citizens of Belize who chose a higher calling, who hold the line to protect the integrity of evidence and the investigative process, who assist the gatekeepers of the justice system to rely only on relevant and objective forensic evidence, and who represent their department and their country with pride and distinction.

We wish a Happy Public Service Day to the good public servants of the NFSS whom you may never know, and to all other Public Officers in the various Ministries and Departments who bring honor to their profession, pride to their families, and peace to their communities!

The people of Belize see you. They celebrate you. We appreciate you.

🙏🏽🇧🇿

22/06/2026

Strengthening Forensic Investigations across the Region

As a member of the SICA Network of Forensic Science Services, the Belize NFSS participated in the Network's 4th Ordinary Meeting held under the leadership of the Dominican Republic, which holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of SICA. Today's meeting, which was attended by representatives from 8 countries, strengthened coordination among the Network's member agencies and provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of forensic internships and curriculum development to continue building capacity in critical forensic science disciplines for the region.

The Regional Forensic Internship Program has so far allowed Belizean forensic experts to develop skills during study visits abroad in the areas of Ballistics and Fingerprint Analysis. In the coming months, other disciplines for which interns will be hosted across the region are Forensic Quality Management, DNA Analysis, Toxicology, Pathology, Seized Drug Analysis, and Crime Scene Investigation.

The Forensic Internship Program is part of the and is implemented by the General Secretariat of SICA (SG-SICA), through the Directorate of Democratic Security.

10/06/2026

Forensic examination of cold cases to identify missing persons

The Belize NFSS continues to pursue humanitarian forensic work in an attempt to provide closure for families of missing persons. Today, NFSS personnel collected skeletal samples from four long-term unidentified human remains, with the oldest case being more than twenty years pending identification. As efforts continue toward this type of humanitarian casework, which will likely involve mitochondrial DNA analysis due to the age and condition of some of the human remains, the NFSS continues to endeavor to strengthen its human and budgetary resources for resiliency to ensure that efforts that may bring closure to relatives (whether for missing persons or victims of crime) rely on modern scientific approaches, empathetic communication with relatives, and are sustainable alongside current casework requested by law enforcement agencies on a daily basis.

22/05/2026

This week, 22 Police and Forensic personnel from law enforcement agencies across the Caribbean completed a study visit to Spain and France to gain exposure to best practices in criminal investigations used across Europe.

The Belize NFSS was represented by one of our internationally certified Crime Scene Investigators who was accompanied by a member of the Belize Police Department, both of whom were sponsored as part of the PACE Justice Project implemented by UNDP Belize with funding from the European Union in Belize. The study visit to Madrid, Spain and Paris, France which occurred from 17 to 23 May built directly on a Crime Scene Investigation Training delivered in 2025 in Barbados, which equipped participants with advanced capacities in crime scene investigation and case management. This week's study visit aimed to:
• Strengthen investigative and case management practices
• Provide exposure to European law enforcement systems
• Introduce advanced investigative tools, including virtual reality, GIS, and AI.

In Madrid, participants engaged with the Centro Universitario de la Guardia Civil (CUGC), while in Paris engagements took place with IHEMI and CIVIPOL, focusing on specialized investigative and forensic training. Continuous professional development programs form one of the NFSS's foundational pillars for ensuring Belize's Criminal Justice System can increase its reliance on sound scientific evidence for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences.

17/05/2026

Many countries have realized the power of criminal DNA databases to aid in investigating crimes and in detecting repeat offenders. Three weeks ago, the Senate debated and passed the DNA Bill, 2025 with some amendments.

A crucial provision of this new legislation which was debated by Senators is the retroactive taking of forensic DNA samples from convicted offenders to populate a criminal DNA database, a first of its kind for Belize. The DNA Bill is now scheduled to go back to the House of Representatives in June, before it can be signed into law.

Here is a local news excerpt from the Senate debate - the full televised recording of the debate of the DNA Bill can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/YV-onUQDt2w?feature=shared

26/04/2026

📣📜🧬 Belize recently passed a DNA Act - here are ten FAQs to familiarize yourself with this new law (Act No. 12 of 2026).

1. Why does Belize need a DNA law?

To enable greater use of forensic tools in the investigation and prosecution of major crimes, a new law is necessary to govern the collection, use and storage of forensic DNA profiles. The new law establishes a National DNA Database designed to protect the rights of individuals and to balance those rights against the interests of justice and public safety.

2. What is a forensic DNA profile?

A forensic DNA profile is a set of identification characteristics generated from DNA analysis for the purpose of human identification or for the purpose of confirming or disproving whether a person was involved in committing a crime.

3. Whose DNA profiles will be collected and stored in the National DNA Database?

Forensic DNA samples will be collected from certain suspects, convicts, victims, missing persons, relatives of missing persons, unidentified deceased persons as well as from crime scenes for entry into the Database. DNA samples can only be collected from a person by authorized officers such as Crime Scene Technicians or Medical Officers. Consent must be obtained, or a Court Order obtained for suspects and convicts who do not give consent, before a DNA sample can be collected from a person. Profiles must also meet certain quality criteria to be eligible for entry into the Database.

4. Where will the National DNA Database be housed?

The Database will be housed securely at the Belize National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) and will be administered by the Custodian who is the Executive Director of the NFSS. The NFSS is a Government Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise and is staffed by civilian Public Officers who possess the required scientific training to manage and operate forensic databases. The National DNA Database will only be accessed by limited forensic science professionals according to strict security procedures put in place to maintain the integrity of the Database. External access by non-forensic staff is strictly prohibited.

5. Who will be able to search the National DNA Database?

Only trained and authorized staff at the Belize National Forensic Science Service will have access to the Database to conduct searches on behalf of law enforcement investigators as part of criminal investigations, missing person investigations or humanitarian identification efforts. Profiles kept in the Database as part of criminal investigations will be stored and searched separately from other profiles that are kept for humanitarian identification purposes.

6. Will foreign governments have access to the National DNA Database?

No, external access by any other local or foreign government agency is strictly prohibited. Requests by a foreign government to search the Database or to access information stored in the Database as part of a criminal investigation in another country must be submitted via a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). If the MLAT request is approved by the Attorney General, only authorized personnel from the Belize National Forensic Science Service will access the Database to execute the search requested or to retrieve the information requested that is stored in the Database.

7. How will a person who is suspected of committing a crime be protected under the new law when providing his or her DNA sample?

Police investigators must have reasonable grounds to suspect that a person was involved in committing an offence punishable on indictment (e.g. murder, manslaughter, r**e, unlawful sexual in*******se, kidnapping, etc.) and must first seek that person's consent to obtain his or her DNA sample (usually a buccal swab unless otherwise indicated), which is to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. There are special protections in place for children and vulnerable persons. If the person does not give consent, the Police investigator must have sufficient reasons to be able to convince a Magistrate to issue a Court Order for the lawful collection of a DNA sample from the suspected person. The Court Order will authorize the collecting officers to use reasonable force if necessary to obtain the DNA sample. The suspect is entitled to have an attorney or an adult of his or her choice present while the DNA sample is being collected. The suspect is entitled to a copy of his or her DNA profile that is being stored in the Database. Unless the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Commissioner of Police applies to the High Court to continue storing the suspect's DNA profile in the Database, the suspect is entitled to have his or her DNA profile removed from the Database if: a) investigations reveal that the suspect was not involved in committing the offence; b) the suspect is not charged within 12 months after the collection of the DNA sample; or c) the charge is withdrawn against the suspect or he or she is acquitted of the offense.

8. Will victims or relatives of missing persons be ordered to provide a DNA sample?

No, collection of DNA samples from victims or from relatives of missing persons is completely voluntary and requires consent from the person providing the DNA sample or from his or her parent or guardian. Furthermore, victims or relatives of missing persons are entitled to have their DNA profiles removed from the Database at any time they wish by making a request to the Custodian.

9. If you are convicted of an indictable offence (e.g. murder, manslaughter, r**e, unlawful sexual in*******se, kidnapping, etc.), how long will your DNA profile be stored in the National DNA Database?

Your DNA profile may be stored in the National DNA Database for up to 30 years if you are convicted of an offence upon indictment. If your conviction is quashed, you are entitled to have your profile removed from the Database. The Director of Public Prosecutions or the Commissioner of Police may apply to the High Court to continue storing a convicted person's DNA profile in the Database for longer than 30 years.

10. Will there be any independent oversight for the National DNA Database?

Yes, a DNA Oversight Committee that is comprised of various stakeholder representatives will provide independent oversight and recommendations to the Custodian for the effective administration of the Database.

These FAQs were compiled for the purpose of public awareness. The DNA Act is publicly available via the National Assembly of Belize website at https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/

21/04/2026

19/04/2026

Belize is about to join the list of countries that have establised a National DNA Database to advance forensic investigations into major crimes, missing persons and unidentified human remains. This forensic DNA database will help Belizean authorities to ensure that justice can be administered through the use of modern scientific tools and will help to provide more accurate closure for families with less delays. With the passage of a new law (the DNA Bill, 2025 which is currently before the Senate) respect for the individual rights of a person suspected of or convicted of committing an indictable offence shall be balanced against the rights and freedoms of others and the public interest.

The constant call by the public for improvements in forensic science capacity in Belize is being answered in part through the establishment of the National DNA Database - stay current on this and other developments at the National Forensic Science Service by following our page or by requesting further information via email to [email protected].