Forensic experts combing the crime scene.
- A backlog of DNA samples is building up at the SAPS forensic science lab in the Western Cape.
- Courts in the province have annulled more than 200 cases in three months.
- This was due to incomplete investigations caused by delays in the processing of DNA tests in the laboratory.
More than 200 cases of violent crime, including rape and murder, have been thrown out of court in the Western Cape due to incomplete investigations, some caused by delays in the processing of DNA evidence at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). provincial.
This was revealed in the latest Court Watching Briefs report from the Western Cape Department of Community Safety.
According to the report, the cases were canceled between July 1 and September 30, 2022.
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Of these cases, 64 (30%) were gender-based violence (GBV) matters such as rape, sexual assault, attempted murder, and other contact crimes that depend on lab results, MEC Reagen Allen explained in a statement Sunday.
Emphasizing the importance of addressing the backlog of DNA in the lab, Allen said: “I urge the scientists in this lab to work quickly with the remaining backlog so that it is not the cause of any secondary trauma for crime victims.
“I look forward to receiving, in due course, a further update from the lab to determine what additional progress is being made.”
Allen revealed that the lab’s scientific analysts had shown steady progress in their quest to eradicate a backlog that was slowing the resolution of serious crimes such as sexual assault and murder.
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It said a backlog of 25,290 samples registered on August 24, 2022 had dropped by 10,031, to 15,259 on November 23.
According to Allen, this meant that since October 1, 2021, when the backlog was 89,158, the FSL had worked on 73,899 samples.
“The continued way in which the FSL is working on the backlog is encouraging. Eradicating this backlog is paramount, as these samples are vital in cases of sexual assault, murder, and various other matters. The more the lab can address the backlog, the faster the perpetrators who are on trial can be held accountable for their crimes,” Allen said.
The MEC added that SAPS moved one step closer to clearing the backlog, which meant that potential secondary trauma experienced by victims, who might be waiting an extended period for their matter to end in court, was reduced.
Allen added: “As promising as the progress is, the continued backlog remains of great concern. The FSL must have all the necessary resources, equipment and relevant material so that this backlog can be eradicated by the end of this year.”
“That there is this ongoing backlog is just another reason why SAPS should be delegated to a capable provincial government like ours. Under our supervision, the lab will run optimally at all times and matters will be dealt with expeditiously.”
