The bill is set to provide enough evidence to prove whether people being convicted are guilty or innocent during prosecution by taking specified bodily samples from awaiting trial prisoners, convicted criminals, suspects out on bail, and volunteers for the purpose of forensic DNA analysis.
Committee chairperson Annelize van Wyk said she was aware that the bill would not eradicate crime. “It will contribute immensely to crime-fighting efforts, and it will have a particular impact in solving crime against women and children. The police have always had access to DNA testing for crimes, but there was no legal framework for a DNA database which is what we seeking to create.”
Samples would be taken by means of a cheek swab which would then be processed. Van Wyk added that only DNA samples with criminal evidentiary value would be kept intact. “Once the swab is processed it will be stored on a computer database and the original swab will be destroyed, which will curtail the opportunity for corruption. The idea for volunteer DNA is when a crime or a series of crimes are being committed in a neighbourhood, then police can ask for people to volunteer their DNA and narrow the search for the person committing the crime.”
“We have also called for the establishment of an Integrity Board which will monitor any perceived abuses of the system. The other side of the DNA Bill is that people who believe they are innocent and are in prison will be able to use this Bill to clear themselves.”
The Bill will now be tabled before the House for its consideration.
Details: DNA Project
