Dubai: A shower curtain rail that could not support a victim’s weight, traces of petroleum products beneath a burnt vehicle and the reconstructed face of an unidentified body. These seemingly unrelated clues have helped Dubai Police uncover murders, identify victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Expert Lieutenant Colonel Dr Engineer Mohammad Ali Al Qasim, Head of the Forensic Engineering Section at Dubai Police’s General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, has revealed how engineering expertise has become an essential part of criminal investigations.
Speaking on the Dubai Police Podcast, hosted by Mohammad Ibrahim Al Hammadi, he explained how forensic engineering combines scientific analysis, advanced technology and crime scene reconstruction to determine whether incidents are accidental, deliberate or caused by negligence or technical failures.
The episode is scheduled to air on Friday at 6pm on the Dubai Police YouTube channel and podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
A reconstructed face leads investigators to a killer
In one case, investigators discovered a decomposed body in a desert area. The victim’s facial features had deteriorated so severely that conventional identification methods were unsuccessful.
Dubai Police experts combined 3D scanning, genomics, DNA testing, image and video analysis, and digital forensic evidence to reconstruct an approximate image of the victim’s face from the skull.
The scientific examination also helped establish the victim’s sex, age group and possible nationality.
The reconstructed image was circulated among the relevant criminal investigation departments, helping officers narrow their search, identify the victim and eventually locate and arrest the killer.
Al Qasim said the case demonstrated how collaboration between different forensic disciplines can transform seemingly limited evidence into a breakthrough in a criminal investigation.
A shower curtain rail exposes murder disguised as suicide
Another investigation began when a person of Asian nationality was found hanging from a shower curtain rail inside a villa.
Although the scene appeared to indicate suicide, forensic engineering tests revealed inconsistencies.
Experts reconstructed the circumstances of the incident and tested the rail and belt involved, applying known weights to determine how much force each could withstand.
The results showed that the rail broke under a weight of approximately 90 kilogrammes, while the belt could not support more than around 70 kilogrammes.
These findings contradicted the condition in which the body had been discovered.
The scientific evidence allowed investigators to rule out suicide and establish that the scene had been deliberately staged to conceal a murder.
Further investigation led to the identification and arrest of the perpetrator.
Burnt vehicle reveals evidence of deliberate murder
Al Qasim also described a case involving a woman and her lover who attempted to conceal the murder of her husband by burning his body and vehicle near an industrial area.
The suspects had tried to make the incident appear accidental.
During the forensic examination, experts discovered traces of petroleum products beneath the vehicle.
Samples were collected and subjected to laboratory examinations involving DNA, chemical analysis and trace evidence.
The findings established a match with materials recovered from the victim’s body, scientifically linking the locations involved and demonstrating that the fire had been deliberately started to destroy evidence.
The investigation ultimately exposed the murder and led to the conviction of those responsible.
Al Qasim noted that deliberate fires remain relatively uncommon in the UAE compared with accidental fires.
He explained that forensic fire investigations require specialised procedures depending on whether an incident involves a building or vehicle. Experts examine physical traces, chemical and physical materials, digital evidence, the point of ignition and how the fire spread.
23 approved forensic examination protocols
Al Qasim revealed that Dubai Police’s Forensic Engineering Section operates under 23 approved examination protocols within its quality management system.
These cover buildings, transport, electrical and mechanical systems, and materials, as well as investigations involving fires, electrocution, structural collapse, system failures, falls and vehicle accidents.
He explained that Dubai Police was among the pioneers in the field, establishing the Middle East’s first forensic engineering examination unit within its forensic science and criminology system.
The section works closely with forensic medicine, forensic chemistry, forensic biology and digital forensics to produce scientifically supported findings that can be presented before judicial authorities.
Its specialists undergo dedicated professional development through internal and international training programmes and professional accreditation.
Dubai Police’s forensic laboratories also operate in accordance with internationally recognised accreditation standards, strengthening the reliability of their technical findings.
Digital twins and 3D technology help reconstruct incidents
Modern technology has significantly expanded the capabilities of forensic engineering.
According to Al Qasim, digital twin systems and 3D scanning allow investigators to document crime scenes and reconstruct incidents involving explosions, vehicle collisions and falls from height.
These technologies help experts examine the sequence of events and assess whether the physical evidence supports the circumstances initially reported.
They also contribute to facial reconstruction when combined with genomics, DNA analysis and digital forensic techniques.
Forensic engineering helps prevent fatal accidents
Al Qasim stressed that forensic engineering does more than solve crimes. It also helps identify dangerous defects and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
He highlighted investigations into vehicle airbag defects that had contributed to fatal accidents.
Following the discovery of the technical problem, Dubai Police coordinated with the relevant authorities to recall affected vehicles and address the defect.
The findings were also published in a peer-reviewed scientific paper, benefiting organisations in other countries.
The section has similarly investigated incidents involving unsafe devices and products that failed to meet approved specifications.
Its technical reports help establish the causes of such incidents, identify responsibility and support preventive action in cooperation with the relevant authorities.
Engineering science in the service of justice
Al Qasim emphasised that forensic engineering is now a central component of Dubai Police’s forensic investigation capabilities.
“Connecting engineering science with criminal investigations adds significant value to the justice system, enabling experts to interpret technical details and turn them into clear scientific evidence,” he explained.
He added that the section’s responsibilities extend beyond identifying the causes of incidents or determining responsibility.
Its work also involves identifying emerging risks and working with partners to prevent recurring threats, helping protect lives and property.
Al Qasim credited Dubai Police’s leadership with investing in specialist personnel, advanced technologies, technical resources and training opportunities.
These investments, he said, have enabled the section to handle a wide range of incidents and cases in Dubai and beyond when formally requested by the relevant authorities.
He reaffirmed that developing national expertise and embracing advanced scientific disciplines remain essential to strengthening criminal investigations, preventing accidents and protecting the community.
Source: Emirates 24|7