SAPS requires more forensic science laboratories
In a reply to a parliamentary question, the Minister of Police has revealed that there has been a 67% increase in entries at the South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic science laboratories for this current financial year. This admission is not only a clear indication that crime is up massively in South Africa, but equally that SAPS needs to increase the number of forensic science laboratories in this country.
The forensic science laboratories have seen a 67% increase in entries for the period of 1 April to 30 September 2012 in comparison to last year. This equates to 209 431 entries/cases already received this year by the laboratories. Of these entries, 49 294 are still pending as of 1 October.
The reply also revealed that there are still a further 2 459 entries outstanding for the period 2009/2010-2011/2012. This means that the cases related to those entries have not been finalised. If these cases are not finalised then they can't go to court and criminals remain on the street.
Only four forensic science laboratories fall under the SAPS in South Africa. These labs have to deal with cases from all nine provinces. Nor can one discount the fact that much of the crime-related laboratory work goes to the utterly dysfunctional forensic chemistry laboratories that fall under the Health Ministry.
These laboratories play a critical role in the prosecution and conviction of criminals. However, if they are not functioning optimally, court cases depending on forensic evidence can be delayed, lost or dropped.