Milestones
The roots of forensic science in Singapore dated back to 1885 when a Government Analyst performed analysis of food, medical products and toxicological specimens. In 1929, the Government Analyst's Department of the Straits Settlements extended its analytical services to include work for the Customs and Police Departments.
In 1939, the Department moved to Outram Road and was re-named the Department of Chemistry. In 1976, the name was changed again to Department of Scientific Services to reflect its expanded role from a predominantly chemistry orientation to include pharmacy, microbiology, radiation science, chemical engineering and food technology.
A Narcotics Unit was established in 1976 to cope with the increasing seizures made by the enforcement agencies as well as to analyse seizures with the mandatory death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A Urine Testing Unit was established in 1977 to detect drugs of abuse in urine specimens to support the Government's comprehensive rehabilitation programme for drug addicts.
The Forensic Science Division was relocated to 11 Outram Road in 1988, and organised into four laboratories – namely the Forensic, Narcotics, Toxicology and Document Examination, with 10 professional and 26 laboratory staff.
In 1990, the Forensic Laboratory became the Criminalistics Laboratory, eventually extending its services in trace evidence, physical examinations, marks, impressions and crime scene work. In the same year, the DNA Profiling Laboratory was established to apply the new forensic DNA technology for criminal investigation and paternity testing. The DNA Database Laboratory was jointly set up with the Criminal Investigation Department and launched in 2003. Today, CFS has 41 professional and 65 laboratory staff, providing a wide range of forensic services for the administration of justice.
On 1 April 2001, when the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was established, the Forensic Science Division was renamed the Centre for Forensic Science. In June 2006, CFS came under the wing of the Applied Sciences Group, one of the three key Groups in HSA.
From 1 Aug 2008, the Centre for Forensic Science has been restructured into the Forensic Science Division and the Illicit Drugs & Toxicology Division under the Applied Sciences Group. The Forensic Science Division comprises the Forensic Chemistry & Physics Lab (formerly Criminalistics Lab and Document Examination Lab) and the Forensic Biology Lab (formerly DNA Profiling and DNA Database Lab).
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Accreditation
On 27 June 1996, CFS was accredited by the
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). CFS was successfully re-accredited in June 2001 and June 2006. The accreditation demonstrates that the Centre's forensic expertise and quality management meet international standards. It also demonstrates the Centre's commitment in providing high quality forensic services to meet clients' high expectations and requirements.
Excellence for Singapore Award
On 2 August 1999, the Centre was conferred the Excellence for Singapore Award for having achieved excellence in forensic science services, and for putting Singapore on the international map in this area of scientific expertise and service which is vital to our country's safety and security.
