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Louise Warnich

Southern African Society of Human Genetics Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Police 11 June 2013. Louise Warnich. The SASHG is a non-profit organization for health care professionals involved and interested in human or medical genetics. http://www.sashg.org/. OUR MISSION :

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Louise Warnich

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  1. Southern African Society of Human Genetics Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Police11 June 2013 Louise Warnich

  2. The SASHG is a non-profit organization for health care professionals involved and interested in human or medical genetics. http://www.sashg.org/

  3. OUR MISSION: • To advance the practice and science of human genetics in Southern Africa • To facilitate contact between those persons engaged in clinical practice, investigative sciences and research in human genetics without discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or sex • To maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in all its affairs and activities

  4. Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill (B2-2009): • SASHG supports • National Forensic DNA database (NFDD) • Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill (B2-2009) • SASHG submission regarding the 2009 version of the Bill • Most concerns have been addressed in 2013 version • SASHG submission in 2012 supported establishment of an ethics committee / oversight body • The National Forensic Oversight Board (NFOB) • Monitoring ethical and privacy compliance • Discussing ethical, legal and social implications

  5. Collection of biological samples and DNA analysis • Various ethical, legal and social issues associated • Input from experts in the field of human genetics should be considered http://digitalarchivingmatters.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/dna-double-helix1.jpg

  6. Recommendations • Independence of the Forensic Science Laboratories from the Police and Prosecutors • Support the integrity of the criminal justice system • as is the case in the United Kingdom

  7. Recommendations • Data security & access policies to be clarified • What information will be included on the database indices, alongside each profile? • Will a unique identifier be used for each sample, which will link to personal identification through an RSA ID number? • What will be the personal identification for illegal immigrants or refugees? • The issues of ethical and privacy compliance with respect to data security and access should be monitored and discussed by the NFOB.

  8. Recommendations • Scope of the use of the data to be specified • Rapidly evolving technologies and growth of knowledge in the field of human genetics • In the future, it may be possible to use DNA data to predict the appearance of a person • e.g. eye, hair and skin colour • Would this be permissible in the case of identification of unidentified human remains?

  9. Recommendations • Quality management • NFOB tasked with proposing minimum quality standards • National Commissioner will issue national instructions, ensure security of database and ensure adequate training and regulations • Concerns: • National Forensic Laboratories certification/accreditation • Adequate training of all key personnel (crime scene, police, lab) • Chain of custody • Turnaround times

  10. Recommendations • Adequate funding to ensure that the activities proposed in this Bill can be fully implemented

  11. Proposal • SASHG can make substantial contributions • Propose to have an expert in the field of human genetics on NFOB

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