Rwanda to Roll Out Early DNA Tests to Boost Justice in Sexual Violence Cases

The tests will detect a baby’s genetic identity as early as six weeks into pregnancy without surgery or procedures that endanger the mother or child.

According to the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI), the new method will rely on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, which analyzes the mother’s blood to identify fetal DNA and compares it with samples from the suspected father.

Dr. Charles Karangwa, Director General of RFI, said the technology will help investigators confirm paternity earlier and provide stronger evidence in court.

“This innovation will help justice institutions act faster and more accurately in sexual violence cases,” he said.

The government will pay for DNA tests requested during criminal investigations through the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), while individuals seeking tests privately will cover their own costs.

Although Rwanda’s law on DNA testing is still under parliamentary review, authorities say the process will follow national forensic standards to ensure evidence is admissible in court.

Teenage pregnancies remain a major concern. In 2024 alone, 22,454 adolescent girls became pregnant, up from 22,055 in 2023, most of them under 17, according to the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.

Experts hope early DNA testing will help close gaps in prosecution, as a 2020 Legal Aid Forum study showed only 15 percent of sexual violence cases in Rwanda reach court.