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Enhancing Crime Prevention Through DNA Profiling Forensic Procedures Amendment Bill in South Africa

Learn why South Africa urgently needs new legislation for DNA profiling to combat crime effectively. Explore the benefits and successful implementation in the UK.

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Enhancing Crime Prevention Through DNA Profiling Forensic Procedures Amendment Bill in South Africa

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  1. B2-2009 CRIMINAL LAW (FORENSIC PROCEDURES) AMENDMENT BILL WHY WE NEED THIS CRUCIAL LEGISLATION IN SA

  2. DNA PROFILING IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS IN CRIME PREVENTION & DETECTION USED IN THE WORLD TODAY SOUTH AFRICA NEEDS LEGISLATION TO ENABLE IT TO UTILISE THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES MADE IN THIS FIELD

  3. Why SA needs this Legislation… • SA Citizens have a RIGHT TO SAFETY & this law is fundamental to the protection of society against crime • S.37 of Criminal Procedure Act is inadequate & outdated • New Bill promotes crime resolution, detection & prevention • SA has one of highest crime rates in the world, but lowest conviction rate for violent crime In addition: • Need to regulate the retention and use of DNA Profiles on a National DNA Database • Need to include convicted offenders DNA profiles retrospectively - acts as a deterrent & provides criminal intelligence • Deterrence negates high rate of recidivism • Allows for non-invasive, simpler & more efficient method of collecting DNA reference samples

  4. Provides criminal intelligence The larger the database the more chance of a “hit” Reduction of court administration & detective work Quickly eliminates the innocent How will a DNA Database translate into Crime Resolution & Prevention in SA?

  5. Regions of DNA analysed do not reveal sensitive information that would compromise an individual DNA Profile used for criminal intelligence purposes only - severe punishment prescribed by Act if information used inappropriately Uplifting of DNA sample is non-invasive Extensive Research shows no reports of abuse by any Governments using DNA Databases for Criminal Intelligence Cannot make “bad law” out of fear of a future uncertain event Citizens right to safety outweighs any perceived invasion of privacy by DNA profile existing on a Database S.12(1)(c ) of Constitution - right to be free from all forms of violence Samples not taken randomly - Bill provides for certain categories of persons from whom samples may be taken NEW BILL ADEQUATELY ADDRESSES POTENTIAL PRIVACY CONCERNS

  6. DNA Database Legislation enacted Ringfenced funding for forensic staff, vehicles and equipment DNA awareness training implemented – police force, justice and general public Increase in “volume crime” scenes visited resulted in increase of DNA retrieved from crime scenes Increase in no. of crime scene profiles loaded onto database Regular monitoring of use of database in crime detection rates Investment in IT infrastructure of database Electronic delivery of match reports A COMPARITIVE STUDY: A DNA EXPANSION PROGRAMME PROGRAMME THAT WORKED IN THE UK - how did they achieve this?

  7. U.K. changes in legislation SINCE 1994: • DNA taken from all persons on arrest, regardless whether charged, convicted or acquitted • Buccal (saliva) samples taken by police • Convicted offender database allowed retrospectively • DNA database given legal status to retain profiles for criminal investigation only • Fingerprint and DNA legislation aligned

  8. BENEFITS REALISED AS A RESULT OF DNA EXPANSION PROGRAMME IN THE UK • DNA detections quadrupled over a 5 year period • 75% increase in number of suspect to crime scene matches • Enhanced capacity to detect and solve serious crimes • Support of collection of all types of forensic material • Links to other crimes – multiple matches • Exoneration of innocent people • Solution of cold cases • Scene-to-scene matches identify patterns of criminal behaviour • Reduction in DNA processing times and costs • REDUCTION IN CRIME LEVELS

  9. AS A RESULT OF THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME THE UK NOW MANAGES… Over 40,000 match reports each year. The National DNA Database Annual Report 2005-2006 DNA Expansion Programme Report 2000–2005

  10. UK: Average of 3300 match reports per month includes: 15 murder matches 45 rape matches 2500 vehicle, property, drug crime matches The National DNA Database Annual Report 2005-2006 Forensic magazine: August/September 2008

  11. THE BENEFITS REALISED IN THE UK AS RESULT OF INCREASING SIZE OF DNA DATABASE • When a crime scene profile is loaded to the database, probability of obtaining an immediate match is 52% • Thereafter the match rate increases to 68% within 12 months • Each detection, on average, leads to almost one other crime detected • 82% of suspects charged with a crime, with DNA evidence, plead guilty The National DNA Database Annual Report 2005-2006

  12. CAPE TIMES, July 17 2008 “One in three house robbers has murdered someone and, on average, such criminals carry out 104 crimes over 7½ years before the law catches up with them……” An expanded DNA Database would throw a catchnet over this type of recurring criminal behaviour

  13. In UK, of the 200 300 profiles retained in cases where the suspect was acquitted, the following matches occurred: • The benefits of retaining acquitted DNA profiles on the DNA Database: • Profile remains dormant unless matched to a crime scene • Database not tantamount to a criminal record • Purpose of Bill is to expand DNA Database, therefore removal of profiles reduces efficiency • The larger the database, the more chance of a “hit” • Criminal career path of offenders often start with relatively minor crimes 8,493 profiles subsequently matched with 13,964 crime scenes including: • 114 murders, • 55 attempted murders, • 116 rapes, • 119 aggravated burglaries DNA Expansion Programme Report 2000–2005 The National DNA Database Annual Report 2005-2006

  14. In UK, of 150 000 profiles retained in cases where the suspect was arrested & released, the following matches occurred: • 3,000 crime scene DNA matches: • 37 murder • 90 rapes The National DNA Database Annual Report 2005-2006

  15. RELATIVE POSITION IN S.A.NO. OF PROFILES LOADED

  16. RELATIVE POSITION IN S.A.DNA PROFILE HITS(CS - Crime Scene)

  17. POTENTIAL MURDER “HIT RATE” IN S.A. If we extrapolate current U.K. “murder hit rate” of 23% to the SA statistics, we could generate 4252 match reports p.a. This translates into the identification of 324 murder suspects per month OR 81 per week

  18. THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED IN S.A. BY: • Amendment of legislation • Inclusion of criminal offender DNA database retrospectively • Increased capacity and efficiency of FSL • DNA awareness training – SAP / Justice • DNA awareness training – Private security companies / emergency services • DNA awareness - General public • Evidence collection training – LCRC • Post-graduate qualification for forensic biologists

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