Forensic backlog up by 322% this year

Forensic backlogs have increased by 322% since last year, a reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed. According to the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, the backlog in DNA and drug analysis is at 10 247 this year, a 7 818 increase from 2 429 last year.

These forensic backlogs mean that the cases related to the outstanding DNA and drugs analysis cannot be finalised. If these cases are not finalised, they cannot go to court, criminals remain on the street and justice for victims of crime is delayed.

This illustrates the desperate need for more resources to our forensic science laboratories. The DA will write to Minister Mthethwa demanding that he urgently look into increasing resources to forensic science laboratories.

With the DNA Bill finally set to be passed this year, we cannot afford to have it fail from day one. The DNA Bill currently requires DNA samples from all current Correctional Services inmates as well as newly arrested offenders. This could give life to hundreds, if not thousands, of ‘cold' cases.

With proof that backlogs are once again a reality at the forensic labs, the fear must be that a backlog of monumental proportions will develop with the massive load the DNA Bill will add to their workload. Although the DA has been one of the strongest supporters of this legislation, as a crucial 21st Century crime-fighting tool, this revelation shows that this system may fail through a lack of resources.

Minister Mthethwa should have realised that this would be a make-or-break issue. Perhaps, if he spent less time fighting with the Western Cape Government and focusing on his job, more could be achieved in tackling crime in South Africa.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, August 11 2013

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