Inter-Agency Cooperation in Forensic Investigations: Case Studies from Benue and Kogi States

Effective forensic investigation increasingly requires coordinated action across multiple agencies, including the police, judiciary, health institutions, and specialised government bodies. This study examines the quality and outcomes of inter-agency cooperation in forensic investigations conducted in Benue and Kogi States, North Central Nigeria. A comparative case study design was used, drawing on twelve case files involving multi-agency forensic input, interviews with thirty representatives from the police, EFCC, state health ministries, and the judiciary, and structured reviews of inter-agency coordination records. The study evaluates communication patterns, resource sharing arrangements, jurisdictional clarity, and the impact of cooperation quality on investigation outcomes. Findings reveal that inter-agency cooperation is predominantly informal and reactive rather than structured by memoranda of understanding or standardised coordination frameworks. Institutional rivalry and information asymmetry were cited as the primary barriers to effective collaboration in eight of twelve reviewed cases. Successful cooperation was strongly correlated with the presence of a designated lead agency with clear mandate authority. Recommendations include the formalisation of inter-agency forensic investigation protocols in North Central states, the establishment of joint forensic task forces for complex cases, and biannual inter-agency training exercises to build working relationships among practitioners. Keywords: inter-agency cooperation, forensic investigation, Benue State, Kogi State, coordination.