By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
At a time when the country is badly in need of information on the culprit(s) involved in the current gruesome murder cases, solving these crimes might be difficult if the worries of the National Forensic Science Institute are anything to go by.
New Era has learned that the National Forensic Science Institute is financially not in a position to conclude all cases that require DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis, given the escalating costs of such a complex scientific process.
DNA analysis is an examination carried out by forensic experts to identify suspects whose genetic profile may match that of evidence left at the crime scene.
The Director of the Forensic Science Institute, Dr Paul Ludik, made the shocking revelation yesterday.
The current cases to be finalised need N$8.3 million and one genetic analysis cost coverage per case is N$7 200, while the budgetary allocation per case unfortunately only stands at N$270.
According to Ludik, the latest incidents might cost as much as N$1.8 million or more depending on the complexities, he said.
“If we have to do the B1 case, we have already exhausted the budget for the next three years,” he added.
While he declined to reveal the annual budget received, Ludik stressed that the institution needs a complete financial redesign. The annual amount received from government, he added, is not much different from what the allocation was 14 years ago.
“The financial means is inadequate and cannot be resolved by the current budgetary account,” he reiterated.
The director further revealed that the current financial shortcomings might result in delays in analyzing cases. The doctor was quick to point out that this will however not compromise the quality of investigations, nor will it stall investigations into the current findings of the B1 case and other related crimes.
For this the institution will have to look into the research fund (fund dedicated to pay or cover shortfalls). Ludik opined that the fund is equally running out and another option should perhaps be sought as a matter of urgency.
Another great obstacle cited by the forensic expert is that the institution is in dire need of modern working facilities or machines. The available facilities have failed the institution to perform and deliver results in the quickest time possible.
He was quick to stress that despite the shortfall in terms of service delivery, the laboratory has handled quite a number of cases professionally.
“Over the years we have handled ourselves well to international standards. We receive between 1 000 and 2 000 cases per year and we finalise in excess of 70 percent, depending on the complexities,” remarked the director with an impressive 18 years’ experience in the forensic field.
The director also revealed that soon the institution will refrain from using the current “rape kit” and instead roll out the newly developed “sexual containment kit” for sexual assault evidence collection purposes. The current rape kit can easily be tampered with as one can easily open and re-seal the envelope, thus forcing the institution to abandon its use as a containment kit for evidence collection purposes.
The new sexual containment kit or blue box, as it is alternatively referred to in forensic circles, will comprise of documentation papers, clothing collection, oral swab, reference blood, items for head hair, hands, crusts and debris, pubic hair, skin and body fluids, anal swab and genital swab.
The National Forensic Science Institute is a highly specialized multi-disciplinary scientific research facility that applies all aspects of natural sciences to solving crime as well as finding scientific solutions to problems.