Expert Blames Lack Of Leadership As Dna Backlog Exceeds 140 000 Cases

A toxicology expert says theres a lack of political leadership at all levels in the as police forensic laboratories face a DNA backlog exceeding 140 000 cases.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron has called for the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a full forensic audit into the polices DNA processing and forensic laboratories as well as contract management within the division.

Expert Dr Gerhard Verdoorn says, Theres a human resource problem. The leadership needs to come forward and give the police the proper resources and again I reiterate, its about the expertise that they bring into the forensic department.

I think our government has failed our normal people in bringing justice to real crimes that are affecting all our people. It doesnt matter what nationality or what your cultural background is, it doesnt matter about your income. We all need the same justice to be served to all of us and if the police cant do it for us, we have no other way to go, Verdoorn explains.

SAPS forensic laboratories face DNA backlog