THE University of the Philippines Diliman is set to launch its own Forensic Science Institute by 2029, aiming to improve the country’s capacity for science-based criminal investigations. 

The plan, which has been in development since 1999, seeks to address the lack of facilities, equipment, and qualified personnel in the Philippines. 

According to the data from the 2019 study featured in the article by the Diliman Research Magazine, around 90 percent of current cases in the Philippines are reliant on witness testimonies. 

“Our current government realizes the value of forensic science in investigations,” said Dr. de Ungria, one of the authors of the study and UP’s current Head of DNA Analysis Laboratory. 

“However, for us to accelerate the fair administration of justice we need to complement, at least supplement those testimonies with actual objective evidence. And how do you generate that actual objective evidence? [It’s] the application of forensic science in the different fields,” she added. 

The planned institute will focus on creating a strong academic and research program that combines applied sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics with legal and investigative fields. 

But unlike existing forensic programs based on criminology, UP’s offering will emphasize scientific training and research-based learning, aiming to match international standards.

International support has played a key role in advancing the project. In 2024, UP Manila partnered with the Australian Embassy and Monash University to engage key stakeholders—including the Supreme Court, PNP, NBI, and the Commission on Human Rights. 

The collaboration led to a Memorandum of Agreement between UP Manila and Monash University to develop more science-driven programs in the country.

The Forensic Science Institute marks a big step forward—not just for education, but for a more reliable and fair legal system.