Newly-appointed Police Commissioner General Sehlahle Masemola has said the country’s DNA backlog was being prioritised and that more people had been employed to help reduce it.
At the end of 2021, Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that the DNA analysis backlog stood at more than 24,000 samples that were yet to be processed, reports EWN. Cele recently told the media that the forensic sciences laboratories pile-up would be cleared in six months, while the newly-appointed police chief said everything was being done to ensure there was never a repeat of the situation.
The SAPS was on the receiving end of heavy criticism, with the backlog resulting in the delay of justice for victims of violent crimes. Masemola said the machines needed to process DNA samples in forensic laboratories had been repaired and more effort would go into ensuring they remained in good working condition.
“We are employing more numbers in that environment, and employing about 200 scientists.”
The commissioner also added that officers manning the gender-based violence desks at police stations would be sensitised to the seriousness of such cases.
EWN article – DNA analysis backlog being prioritised, says top cop Masemola (Open access)
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