Taking DNA samples from people arrested, but not convicted of a crime, has the potential to make our already unfair justice system even less fair. Before we expand the preconviction DNA dragnet, we should think hard about what that means in a ra... Read more
CONVICTED criminals will have to wait for six years after their release from prison before their DNA samples are removed from a national database, the recently concluded policy on the creation of a DNA database for crime investigation has recomm... Read more
The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has called for a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) databank of all Nigerians to help in tackling insecurity and healthcare challanges. NABDA’ s Director General, Prof Bamidele Solomon, made t... Read more
The Supreme Court on Monday made it easier for prosecutors to use expert testimony about DNA laboratory reports at trial without allowing defendants to confront and question the forensic analysts involved in the tests. By a 5-4 vote, the high co... Read more
An audit of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, a recently built facility on Multan Road near Thokar Niaz Beg, for 2009-11 has found various irregularities in the hiring of a consultant and scientists for the project. Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir, a... Read more
Guest post by Koichi Kameda Centre for Technology and Society Rio de Janeiro, Brazil On the late 28 May, the Brazilian President signed legislation concerning DNA databases for criminal investigations. After an unusually quick legislative... Read more
The Secretariat for Police is set to present a DNA policy, which is going to underpin the second draft of the DNA Bill, to the Portfolio Committee for Police on Wednesday. The Secretariat of Police provides strategic advice to the Minister of Po... Read more
When Terrill Swift was released from prison after serving 15 years for rape and murder, he sought DNA testing because he wanted to prove his innocence. Cook County prosecutors opposed his efforts but relented last year after the Tribune made inq... Read more
One of Nova Scotia’s top public safety officers has been in Ottawa the past two days to determine the ramifications of the pending closure of the RCMP forensic lab in Halifax. Robert Purcell, executive director of public safety, left for Ottawa... Read more
IN A BID to ensure that detection rates for cases do not take a beating, the Mumbai Police have written to the state Home Department recommending that the state-run Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Kalina be provided with sufficient amount o... Read more