Amal Abshir

@BureauForensics |👩🏼‍🔬Senior Forensic Analyst| Head of Forensic Education & Training

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The scientists @BureauForensics were enormously delighted to have welcomed today (June 25, 2025) at the bureau's headquarters in Garowe, Puntland, the Deputy Head of Mission & Head of Cooperation at the Danish Somalia Embassy @DKinSomalia Ms. Gertrud Kümmel Birk @GertrudBirk and a senior colleague Mr. Jens-Peter Dyrbak @JensPeterDyrbak.

The scientists from the bureau and the esteemed delegation had excellent discussion which touched upon many parts of the bureau's forensic science work – starting from the crime scene and ending at courts. Further, the bureau's scientists gave the delegation a tour of the facility and they witnessed the bureau's exceptional forensic science work for Puntland, member states of the Federal Government of Somalia, and Banadir. The delegation also saw a presentation about the bureau's history, current scientific capabilities, and future plans including the construction of a new forensic campus.

The delegation appreciated the bureau's forensic science work and how the bureau's scientists are diligently and credibly performing their science work for Somalia. The delegation left extremely fascinated by the bureau's dedication to serving all Somalis in the area of forensic science.

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The scientists @BureauForensics were extremely thrilled to have welcomed today (June 21, 2025) at the bureau's headquarters in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia Representative Samakab Hussein @samakabforhouse who represents District 65A of Minnesota House of Representatives @mnhouseDFL.

The staff from the bureau and the distinguished representative had excellent discussion which touched upon many parts of the bureau's forensic science work - from the crime scene to courts.

The bureau's scientists gave the representative a tour of the facility and he witnessed the bureau's outstanding forensic science work to Puntland, member states of the Federal Government of Somalia, and Banadir. The representative and his delegation appreciated the bureau's forensic science work and they left extremely impressed by the bureau's commitment to serving all Somalis in the area of forensic science.

Finally, the bureau's Chancellor and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Abdirashid Shire (Somali American and Minnesotan as Representative Samakab) expresses his deep gratitude to the representative and the quality time he spent today at the bureau. We also expressed to the representative how the bureau is grateful for the US government - particularly @StateINL of the US Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The INL's support, among others, include the procurement of chemicals and consumables for the bureau - without which no scientific experiments are being carried out.

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

Alhamdulillah, I finished one of the tasks on my to-do list that I had been putting off. Thanks to Dr. Abdirashid for your long vision and making this research a reality on the ground @BureauForensics.

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

@YGardawe @BureauForensics Thank you very much. 🙏🏼 @YGardawe

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The @BureauForensics is extremely delighted to disseminate here the highlights of Amal Abshir Mohamed’s (https://t.co/CdpJRlr5d9.) novel research on Y-STR Genetic Diversity Among Somali Males in Four Selective Cities (Mogadishu, Garowe, Bosaso, and Galkayo). The abstract was published in the 2024 International Symposium on Human Identification conference proceedings which was held in San Antonio, Texas in September 2024.

Amal Abshir Mohamed., https://t.co/CdpJRlr5d9., Head of Education & Training conducted the study under the supervision of Abdirashid Mohamed Shire., Ph.D., Chancellor & Chief Scientific Officer, Bureau of Forensic Science, Garowe, Puntland, Somalia. The bureau has generated hundreds of reports where the DNA profiles produced were based on short tandem repeats (STR) in the autosomal and Y chromosomes – the centerpiece DNA markers of solving crimes. However, no study was previously performed in Somalia to examine closely for unique STR signatures among individuals from Somalia. Thus, this first-of-its-kind study explores the Y-chromosome STR profiles of male suspects from these four cities in Somalia to understand the genetic diversity and potential ancestral relationships among male lineages.

A total of 130 samples were collected and uniquely identified before undergoing DNA extraction and DNA amplification processes utilizing PrepFiler™️ Forensic DNA Extraction Kit and the Yfiler®️ Plus PCR Amplification Kit. The amplified products were then analyzed via capillary electrophoresis on a 3500 Genetic Analyzer, with data processed through GeneMapper ID-X software. Genetic diversity parameters, including gene diversity (GD) and haplotype diversity (HD), were calculated, alongside discrimination capacity (DC).

The analysis of the 27 Y-STR markers revealed significant variations based on the haplotype diversity among these males from the different four cities in Somalia. These findings hold promise for forensic applications in Somalia by enabling investigators to narrow down leads based on specific Y-STR profiles generated from male suspects and crime scene materials.

Kudos to Amal!

https://t.co/iXORcEiUR7

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

@b6a88970193 بطه الحب❤️

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The staff @BureauForensics were extremely delighted to receive an official visit by the Acting (also Vice) President of Puntland Hon Ilyas Osman Lugator & Minister for Health Hon Said Jama Korshel. We had extensive & productive discussion on forensic science &health of survivors.

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The @unicefsomalia Representative Ms. Wafaa Saeed & colleagues visited today the @BureauForensics. The delegation received from the bureau's scientists an overall information on the bureau's forensic science work & how it contributes to solving criminal cases - rape & homicide.

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

The State Minister for Puntland State House Hon. Abdifatah M Abdinuur & Vice Minister for the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation Hon. Mohamed H Ibrahim recently visited the @BureauForensics. The bureau's staff & the ministers deeply discussed on the bureau's work.

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

@YGardawe @DNAforAfrica @stephenfonseca7 @BureauForensics Congratulations @YGardawe & @stephenfonseca7

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

Heartfelt congratulations to Stephen and Yasin @YGardawe - very well deserved accolade! Please keep rising - Africa and the world need forensic science professionals like the two of you! The @DNAforAfrica - thanks for your work in Africa including this prestigious award.

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

A Scientist @Amalabshr from @BureauForensics is @ the AFOHR '23—Challenges in Human Identification meeting in Turin, Italy. The recovery & identification of missing & unidentified persons were discussed. Amal met with Ms. Jane A Taylor- Deputy Head of ICRC's Forensic Unit & more.

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

@AvAbdallaWali Well done wllky Abdalla 👏🏻 @AvAbdallaWali

[DNAforAfrica @DNAforAfrica]

Interpol trained, Senior Forensic Scientist Yasin Farah, takes us through the Somjust Programme, a social justice initiative in Somalia. #3FDNAS #DNASymposium #Somjust
@Agosomalia @YGardawe

[Omar Ali Basha @Omr_basha]

نحن كطلبة صوماليين درسوا في #السودان قلوبنا جميعا معلقة نحو ما يحدث في #السودان، الاماكن التي نسمعها مثل معموره، جريف، شارع الستين، شارع عبيد الختم، لفة جوبا، الخرطوم ٢، شارع مشتل، طائف، شارع مكه. كلها ليست اماكن فحسب بل تحمل ذكريات جميلة لا ننساها. نسال الله ان يحفظ السودان.

[Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) @ForensicsRwanda]

It's no secret that we have many bodies to recover in Africa. How can we identify them? How do we know things like gender, age and the details involved in the victim identification process?
We’re off to a good start to day 3 as we learn more about death investigation!

#ASFM2023

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

Another day for @Amalabshr from @BureauForensics at @ASFM2023 in Kigali where she interacted with colleagues from University of Geneva, ThermoFisher & Dr. Kimani - formerly at Kenya Government Chemist. Excellent scientific interactions for a brilliant scientist from our bureau.

[Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) @ForensicsRwanda]

Day 2 of the #ASFM2023 conference is underway at Kigali Marriott, where experts are engaging in insightful discussions on crucial topics such as DNA technology, identification of missing migrants, the autopsy network, and more. Stay tuned for more updates.

[Amal Abshir @Amalabshr]

African Forensic Science Academy (AFSA), whose mission is to promote evidence-based, innovative, and among other things. I had the pleasure of meeting its visionaries, Dr. Antonel Olckers and Prof. Mehdi Ben, president and vice president of (AFSA). #ASFM2023

[The Bureau of Forensic Science @BureauForensics]

Our @BurueauForesnics scientist Amal Abshir (MSc) @Amalabshr is representing Somalia at #ASFM2023 In Kigali, Rwanda. The conference attracted excellent scientists & Amal was able to meet the President of ASFS @ForensicsAfrica Prof. Uomo Eze, Dr. Bruce Budowle & @stephenfonseca7.