Part 1 of the series showcases the achievements of forensics expert Anood Abdul Rahman Al Nasser, the first Emirati woman to join the Dubai Police's chemical manifestation of fingerprints section.

In just eight months at the Dubai Police's General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, young Emirati Anood Abdul Rahman Al Nasser has helped solve murder, robbery and even suicide cases. An 'assistant expert', Anood is the first Emirati woman to work at the chemical manifestation of fingerprints section.

The job requires a scientific bent of mind and an eye for clues left behind by suspects at a crime scene. The section she works for is responsible for finding and lifting fingerprints that will help identify the criminal. The process starts with gathering the evidence, using chemicals to process it and analyzing the results.

After graduating from the Sharjah University, Anood underwent a six-month training and joined the police department on December 31, 2019.

Cases she has helped crack

In one of her first cases, a person was murdered and the suspect had used duct tape to wrap him up. The young Emirati helped find the duct tape and successfully lifted the suspect's fingerprints off it with which he was identified.

In another case, her work helped identify a suspect within 24 hours after he allegedly killed a couple at a villa and attacked their daughter during a robbery bid on June 18. The suspect knew the couple as he had gone to their villa to carry out some maintenance work earlier. The police had found the murder weapon 1,000 metres away from the villa and handed it over to the forensic department. Investigations and data analysis led to the suspect's arrest from a neighbouring emirate.

The officer said she observed that the number of cases had decreased significantly during the National Sterilisation Programme that required people to #StayHome as Covid cases peaked.

Women's day tribute

Anood hailed the "unlimited" support Emirati women have received from the leadership that has helped them achieve success in all fields. "Women are respected in the UAE, which knows that she can be successful in any field she chooses."

She said being a woman in the UAE is a matter of pride. "My advice to all women is to work hard and spare no efforts in achieving their dreams. If you have the right ambition, you will reach the position you deserve," Anood said.

Since the day the UAE was founded, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan helped establish the pillars of empowering Emirati women as true partners in nation building.

Decades later, Emirati women are shining in every sector - from the highest positions in the government to helping launch the UAE's Hope probe to Mars.