Dubai Police Partners with Oxford Nanopore Technologies for Enhanced R&D and Training

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is a partner of Dubai Police again with the help of the newly established Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The cooperation is based on partnership in educational exchanges, training, and research and development (R&D) programs as well as in the areas of forensics and genomics.

The MoU was witnessed and signed by His Excellency Major General Ahmad Thani Bin Ghalita Director of General Department of Forensic sciences and Criminology Dubai police and Phil Watkins, Vice president –Finance of Oxford Nanopore technologies plc. This partnership will go a long way help in achieve Dubai Police’s vision of incorporating advanced technology and human resource in its forensic and criminology division.

With the approval of the Commander-in-Chief Major General Bin Ghalita pointed out that this cooperation complies with Dubai Police General Command policy to develop R & D, share knowledge and improve the capabilities of specialized laboratories’ performance. Since signed this agreement will enable us to adopt the best practices from other countries in relation to our forensic sciences and criminology sectors, he said.

Speaking at the same Forum, the Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Mohamed Almarri, Director of the Genome Centre at the General Department of Forensic Sciences and Criminology said that proper emphasis must be directed to the correct use of advanced genomic techniques. He said: “The exchange of knowledge in genomics through this cooperation means that Dubai Police is always on top in terms of using advanced technologies in apprehension of criminals. ”

Tonya McSherry, VP Commercial EMEAI at Oxford Nanopore said, “It’s exciting to be able to partner with Dubai Police and use DNA sequencing in the field of safety and health security,” she continued, “In collaboration with Dubai Police, we will strive to achieve best practice in forensic and pathogen detection, as well as improving the speed and accuracy of analysis that can save lives. ”

Some of the provided general activities under the MoU include training activities, technical capacity development, and utilisation of nanopore technology. These programmes are intended to enhance force’s forensic capabilities, which all will help the Dubai Police remain at the forefront of using scientific innovation.