Joining the ranks: South Africa on track to adopting DNA legislation

Abstract

South Africa has recently been at the epicentre of a spate of horrific violence, with reports of rape and murder making headlines almost daily. Disturbingly regarded as the ‘rape capital of the world’, South Africa has never before required a more urgent need for the effective use of DNA profiling in aiding investigations as now. Although South Africa has conducted DNA profiling since 1998, there has been no supporting legislative framework for its use thus far. The ‘DNA Bill’ has recently been passed by Parliament and we reflect on the key events that have brought us to this milestone.The DNA Project, a non-profit organisation, has long been lobbying to pass such legislation, as well as providing free DNA awareness workshops to a variety of first-on-the-crime-scene personnel. As with all new DNA legislation, there arises an essential need to intensify training and awareness around the DNA process, from the crime scene to the court room, in order for the value of DNA evidence be realised. Enacting legislation is only a step on a journey to effectively utilise DNA profiling resources in a more intelligent manner and it is necessary that significant investment be continually made towards the improvement and advancement of this exceptional technology and tool.