DNA database will revolutionise policing

THE old adage: ‘Work smarter, not harder’ aptly applies to the increased use of DNA sampling in the realm of crime detection.

Thanks to an initiative by LifeLine Zululand, the local community was exposed last week to an insightful look at the strides being made in this country regarding legal, scientific and practical issues relating to the capture, preservation and usage of DNA material.

While South Africa has lagged behind some other nations in making the most of the fact that every human being – including criminals – has a unique DNA profile, this will change rapidly thanks to new legislation known as the DNA Act.

We are all well familiar with the efficacy of DNA matching, thanks to the myriad of ‘CSI-type’ programmes on TV, and it is good to know that this technology is available and is being used even in our city by highly competent forensic investigators.

Basically, DNA is found in virtually every cell of the human body and some cells are left behind any time we touch or come into contact with another person or object.

These can be recovered at crime scenes even in minute quantities for analysis and profiling.

Suspects are then recorded and placed on a national DNA database.

This means that their presence at any future crime scene can be easily linked.

Three issues are critical, one of which is the legal obtaining of DNA.

Thanks to the new Act, the DNA of any felon convicted of serious crimes may be collected while he is in prison. This will prevent many serial offenders.

Secondly, the database itself is destined to expand rapidly.

At present, it is limited to some 140 000 people but ultimately it is envisaged that virtually every citizen’s DNA will be on record – much as our fingerprints reside with the Department of Home Affairs.

Imagine, then, how simple it would be to connect suspects to crimes – or prove them innocent.

The third and possibly most worrying factor is whether the police system can manage the volume of DNA data captured, or whether it will become clogged up with excessive demand, since we are already familiar with the long wait for ballistics results, for example.

The assurance is welcome that the police have just 30 days to get the DNA samples to the labs, which in turn have 30 days to return the results.

As for the public, our need to preserve, secure and not contaminate crime scenes or possible evidence, is paramount.