International Educational Outreach Program

2024 International Educational Outreach (IEOP) - Rwanda

Source: Christopher Thompson, MD, 2024-25 AAFS President

In late September 2024, an AAFS delegation attended the inaugural conference of the African Forensic Sciences Academy (AFSA) in Kigali, Rwanda. The five-day conference was organized by AAFS member and AFSA President, Antonel Olckers, in collaboration with the Director General of the Rwanda Forensic Science Institute (RFI), Charles Karangwa. The conference aimed to examine the forensic science ecosystem in Africa and to promote collaboration among forensic scientists and forensic science organizations, both in Africa and worldwide. As AAFS President, I was privileged to be one of the keynote speakers at the conference.

The AAFS delegation consisted of Board of Directors member Karen Rosenbaum, former Secretary Laura Liptai, former Chair of the International Affairs Committee (IAC) Pete Ausili, current IAC Chair Samiah Ibrahim, and me. Overall, our delegation participated in workshops, attended conference events, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, went on a tour of the RFI, and was fortunate enough to participate in Umuganda, the monthly community service day in which all Rwandan citizens (age 18–65 years) participate in public service, including public space beautification. Our group was able to assist with tree planting in a city park in Kigali.

The AFSA Conference began with workshops on Monday, 9/23, and Tuesday, 9/24/24. There was an opening cocktail party on Tuesday evening, 9/24/24, where attendees who hailed from countries all over the world could mingle, network, and discuss forensic science practices in their respective countries. A good time, and perhaps a cocktail or two, were had by all.

The AFSA Conference proper began on Wednesday, 9/25/24, and featured a keynote address by the Rwandan Minister of Justice/Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, as well as other opening ceremony events. It continued through Friday evening, 9/27/24, and ended with inspirational remarks by the Chief Justice of Rwanda, Faustin Ntezilyayo. The conference highlighted a wide range of forensic science topics, from wildlife forensic science (related to poaching and rustling) to using forensic genetics in solving terrorist attacks to the analysis of handwriting made under the influence of alcohol. The conference's keynote speakers were internationally renowned leaders in the field of forensic science. The conference also featured younger, more junior members of the field, which allowed them to showcase their recent research and also to meet and explore mentorship opportunities with more senior members of the forensic science community. 

After the closing ceremony on Friday, 9/27/24, there was a Gala Dinner at the Kigali Convention Center. The event featured local dancers and music and inspired conference attendees to join in the celebration. Attendees were again able to mingle with individuals from all over the African continent and the world. It was an incredibly fun and joyful event. During the Gala Dinner, and at other times during the week, I was able to speak with African AAFS members and would-be members about some of the challenges they experience with regard to joining and/or maintaining membership in AAFS and in attending AAFS Annual Scientific Conferences. We informally discussed potential solutions to these challenges, with a plan to present these to the AAFS Board of Directors for its consideration. 

On Saturday, after the end of the conference, the AAFS delegation participated in the aforementioned Umuganda and also was able to enjoy some of the sights around Kigali. On Sunday, some of the members of the delegation made a 2½-hour trek to Volcanoes National Park in northwest Rwanda to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime, breathtaking, and sometimes harrowing trek! During the visit, a 500-pound silverback gorilla came within a foot or two of your humble narrator. 

During the conference week, I had several remarkable opportunities that made the trip even more memorable and productive. Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to exchange ideas with leaders in the field of forensic science, including current and former presidents of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (e.g., Professor Yanko Kolev, Professor Hee-Sun Chung, and Professor Claude Roux), the President and Vice-President of AFSA (Dr. Olckers and Professor Mehdi Ben Khelil), and other esteemed members of the forensic science community. On Wednesday evening, at a dinner hosted by Drs. Olckers and Karangwa, I was able to have substantive conversations with other keynote speakers and with the Minister of Justice/Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, about a variety of forensic science topics, including the status of the forensic mental health system in Rwanda. And on Friday, as part of a forensic science delegation, I had the opportunity to meet with Rwandan President Paul Kagame for about 40 minutes to discuss AFSA, AAFS, and opportunities for the advancement of forensic science in Rwanda and on the African continent. 

Drs. Olckers and Karangwa were extremely kind and generous hosts and made our delegation feel welcome and included. The people of city of Kigali and the country of Rwanda were exceptionally welcoming and charming, and the country was safe, clean, and beautiful, which the people are very proud of. AAFS looks forward to collaborating with AFSA in the near future and hopes to help further contribute in a positive way to the African forensic science ecosystem.