Rape
6. A Conclusion of the Research
6.4. The Improvement of the State of Forensic Laboratories in South Africa
Moving forward, South Africa seems to be taking a step in the right direction. In 2005, the Forensic Science Laboratory developed a forensic automation system for DNA evidence analysis. It is called the Genetic Sample Processing System (GSPS). This system seeks to improve the capacity
95 to process DNA related evidence. A sample is fed into the system; the robotic features direct the sample through a series of tests. There is no room for contamination of a sample or human error.
A DNA profile is then presented and is compared to DNA profiles on an available database. The process is not yet functioning at its full capacity. The system first became operational in March 2007.
Since February 2008, stored cases are being run through this system. Due to reasons such as no court date or no arrest being made, the results are fed into a DNA database to be used in future cases. Some cases are still currently being processed manually. This seems to be a step in the right direction, the system is anticipated to eventually eliminate human error and decrease turnaround time of cases that are referred to the laboratory. Given the high crime in South Africa, an offender database would be ideal in assisting the SAPS, find matches sooner and prevent or reduce recidivism, however it is viewed as a violation of human rights and therefore not permissible (Omar, 2008a).
In 2007 a proposal was made that security guards could possibly be tasked with securing crime scenes, reporting suspect vehicles and listening in to police crime alerts. This design was imported from the UK as a plan to fight terrorism this pilot project is being implemented and tested in Johannesburg and Cape Town (Marks, et al, 2009). If security guards are able to secure crime scene and collect and document evidence, it would be of great assistance as security guards are usually based at a crime scene, they would be able to collect evidence before it is destroyed or loses its integrity.
The DNA project is a non- profit organization that aims to create awareness on the importance of DNA evidence present at a crime scene. The dedicated team at this organization were successful in convincing the South African Government to make changes to a law that governs DNA evidence, the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, also known as the DNA Act was passes in January 2014, and 10 years after negations and pleas began.
This act makes it compulsory for DNA samples to be collected from all accused arrested and convicted for schedule 8 offences, e.g. treason, culpable homicide, murder, rape, trafficking, robbery, theft, kidnapping, arson and public violence. The samples are then added to the National DNA Database. This also assists in preventing recidivism of offenders. This project may take some
96 time to be implemented nationwide, however, police have already begun receiving training on how to collect DNA samples from offenders and so on. It is important for all processes to be properly put in place in order for this initiative to run smoothly. A similar system has been implemented, in America, and seems to be working quite efficiently (Bell, 2014).
A reporter from the Cape Argus newspaper was afforded the privilege of touring the newly opened SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory situated in Plattekloof, Cape Town. According to Witten (2016), this laboratory is one of the most advanced police forensic laboratories in the country.
During his visit, he was shown around by Brigadier Deon Meintjes, who runs the facility. Meintjies explained that the lab has been designed with safety and security in mind. There is a rail cart system in operation that transports evidence, in locked biometrically accessible safe- boxes, from one part of the laboratory to another. This is to eliminate theft, the contamination and the tampering of evidence in forensic laboratories (Witten, 2016).
This state of the art facility that is located in Plattekloof was commissioned in November 2011 and officially opened in July 2012. This laboratory has employed SAPS officials who are regularly trained, tested, retrained and retested. Meintjies joked to Witten about the reality of the CSI effect.
He further explained that he acknowledges that journalists regularly blame forensics for delays in case proceedings. It was also explained that processes take time to be completed. Forensic laboratories are faced with targets that need to be achieved without rushing their work, while continuously receiving more evidence that needs to be analyzed. Work in the laboratory is broken down into three categories, simple processing, which is routine work; non- routine work, which requires some research and intelligence work, which is not always guaranteed to go to court, but still needs to be completed (Witten, 2016).
This new facility is said to be handling approximately two- thirds of DNA sampling. Meintjies also enlightened Witten on some time frames of processes that take place within the laboratory, these include ballistics takes approximately a week to process a single cartridge of evidence. The average turnaround for ballistics is usually 13- 15 days, biology, including DNA testing, 29- 60 days, chemistry is 30- 50 days, document analysis, including forgery and handwriting analysis is 7 days and image analysis is approximately 20 days (Witten, 2016).
97