This week we celebrated two important milestones in Africa. One was the announcement that DNA sampling of Convicted Offenders will be reinstated in South Africa as of 3 March 2023. The other was the significant reduction of its DNA backlog by over 90%, which in 2021 had reached a staggering quarter of a million cases. Both issues were first flagged by the DNA Oversight Board as early as 2018 where I sat as Deputy Chair in the first five years of the DNA Act’s operation. Without the DNA Oversight Board’s intervention at that time these issues may never have been brought to the attention of Government and pressurised them to respond. Much like South Africa, most countries that have introduced DNA legislation have done so with the provision of some form of oversight structure to meet the commitments imposed by its DNA laws as well as to balance public interest with civil liberties. Oversight also promotes transparency which instils public confidence. This highlights the importance of effective oversight when introducing DNA laws and our DNA Crusader of the week, Dr Aaron Amankwaa, tells us more below about why this provision in the adoption of any DNA policy is so crucial. While we are still fighting for more transparency in South Africa from both the current DNA Oversight Board and our Government, the latest milestones serve as a reminder for any administration that justice delayed (i.e. DNA backlogs) is justice denied, the need for effective oversight as well as why including convicted offenders’ profiles on a DNA database helps prevent tomorrow's victims. I spoke about this on ENCA TV this week, TAKE A LISTEN HERE to catch this important discussion. I am so proud to introduce you this week to both an amazing colleague and brilliant mind, Ghanaian, Dr Aaron Amankwaa, who serves with me on the Africa DNA Policy Board. Aaron will also be presenting at our 3rd Forensic DNA Symposium in Cape Town (12-15 June 2023, Save the Date!) and his insights and expertise in global DNA policy, laws and ethics is noteworthy. I encourage you to read some of the important work he has published (linked below) if your country is considering implementing DNA legislation in the near future (and of course a shout out to another remarkable DNA Crusader from Africa)! Yours in forensics, Vanessa |
|
|
ALL VIRTUAL. ALL FREE OF CHARGE. REGISTER TODAY. |
|
|
Be sure to join on May 23–24 for the 9th annual Human Identification Solutions Conference (#HIDS2023), a virtual two day event hosted by Thermo Fisher Scientific for the global criminal justice community. Register today to watch Vanessa Lynch co-host the 2023 DNA Hit of the Year collective as well as hear stories of learnings, successes and industry innovations.
REGISTER HERE to save your virtual seat. Agenda details coming soon.
Trust us, you won't want to miss it. |
|
|
DNA BACKLOG REDUCTION promotes justice |
|
|
This week the South African Police Ministry announced it has cleared its historic DNA backlog from 241 000 to 1600, an impressive 99.3% reduction. The imminent opening of the new FSL in the Eastern Cape Province, will also help increase capacity and relieve pressure on the existing FSL's caseload going forward. |
|
|
CONVICTED OFFENDER INDEXWhy this is an essential index on a national DNA database |
|
|
The Convicted Offender Index is an essential index in a national DNA database because of the link to cold cases and possible future offences after release, and is therefore pivotal to the overall efficacy of a database - the case of S vs Mki is a case in point: convicted on an unrelated offence of common assault, the accused (Mki) was identified on the DNA Database as the perpetrator of 30 previously unsolved rapes when his DNA profile was loaded onto the DNA database and searched against the other indices. This is what linked him to the other 30 rapes. He is now serving several life sentences in prison. |
|
|
#DNACRUSADER OF THE WEEKDr AARON AMANKWAA, Forensic Biometrics & Genetics Researcher |
|
|
Originally from Ghana, Dr Aaron Amankwaa is a Research Scientist in Forensic Biometrics, Genetics and Biology at the Northumbria University in the UK. Through his research in DNA profiling and forensic DNA legislation and policy, Aaron has contributed oral and written evidence and reviewed policy reports on forensic biometrics for several groups and agencies including the Scottish Independent Advisory Group on Biometrics, Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, the Office of the Biometrics Commissioner and the New Zealand Law Commission. We asked Aaron why effective Oversight is so important There are several ethical costs to the use of DNA in criminal investigations and the operation of DNA databases. One major area of concern is interference with the privacy of individuals and their relatives through familial searching and genealogy investigations. Function creep is also another concern, considering the depth of genetic information in our DNA. Hence, the need for a robust regulatory framework to maintain public trust, transparency, and accountability in the use of DNA for policing purposes. In some jurisdictions, interior ministry or law enforcement agencies are responsible for the oversight of the operation of DNA databases and the use of DNA in criminal investigations. Other jurisdictions have set up independent inter-agency boards including public body representatives to govern these intelligence databases and the use of forensic DNA in investigations. I believe this latter framework (i.e., an independent oversight board) is necessary for maintaining public confidence and transparency in Government surveillance and intelligence strategies. What are you currently busy with? I have just published two new book chapters in my co-authored publications, 'Forensic DNA Analysis and Database Governance in Ghana'. It narrates developments in Ghana, one of the 11 African countries that have commenced using DNA profiling in their criminal justice system, but not without critical challenges. To learn more, get access here: Evaluating Forensic DNA Databases and here. What is a good starting point for countries that are planning a national DNA database? The approach to the creation of a national DNA database should be progressive and informed by available evidence on best practice and effectiveness in achieving public safety goals. Currently, the available evidence appears to support a database of specific individuals with conviction records. This could be the starting point for countries that are planning a national DNA database. Other categories of individuals could be approached on a case-by-case basis. READ MORE HERE: Counting the cost: setting up a national forensic DNA database in Africa Follow Aaron's work here |
|
|
Identifying the Missing and the Deceased with DNA Technologies: Join this important dialogue, 8 March 2023, Kigali |
|
|
Prof. Bruce Budowle will facilitate a dialogue between a group of global forensic experts at the 10th African Society of Forensic Medicine International Conference to discuss Identifying the Missing and the Deceased with DNA Technologies Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023 Place: Marriott Hotel, Kigali (in person only)
Time: 12h30 - 13H30 GMT+2 This panel discussion is offered as part of a lunchtime mini-symposium at the 10th ASFM Conference, hosted by DNAforAFRICA and sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and will focus on several key topics: difficult cases where DNA has helped with identifying human remains; the high number of unidentified and unclaimed decedents in Africa and how we can reduce these numbers e.g. by taking DNA samples from UHR and submitting profiles to a shared database such as iFamilia the establishment of a regional DNA database.
If you are attending the 10th ASFM Conference in person, register now to participate in the illuminating discussion over a light lunch, followed by live Q&A. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to engage with global thought leaders. Seats are limited! REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO ATTEND HERE |
|
|
Together we are DNAforAfrica, and together, we are UNSTOPPABLE! |
|
|
Follow our Journey @DNAforAFRICA | |
|
|
|
|
