Backlog of DNA samples growing

The backlog of DNA samples awaiting testing at the National Forensic Science Laboratories (NFSL) has now soared to almost 173 000.

This was revealed in parliament yesterday morning, during a meeting between the newly appointed national forensic oversight ethics board and the portfolio committee on police.

The committee heard that not a single DNA sample was processed in the first two months of this year and that there was currently a backlog of 172 787 cases – signifying an increase of almost 50% since November, when the figure was sitting at 117 736.

In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the committee described the situation as “unacceptable”.

“We know that the board is reasonably new, but the current dysfunctional state of the NFSL demands action to aid the criminal justice system to deliver on its mandate,” committee chair Tina Joemat-Pettersson said.

The committee highlighted the challenges the NFSL was facing, particularly in terms of what it described as “ineffective supply chain management systems and processes, leading to protracted delays in the procurement of buccal sample kits”.

“Another challenge is shortages of buccal sample kits at police stations and service delivery points, leading to a growing DNA casework backlog, especially in gender-based violence cases,” it went on.

In November, the SA Police Service tabled a turnaround plan for their forensic services and announced an additional R250 million had been allocated to the perennially backlogged division in part at least to try and expedite the processing of DNA samples.

But the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Andrew Whitfield said yesterday this strategy was clearly failing and that thousands of victims of crime were being left in limbo as a result.

“The backlog of case exhibits to be processed could hit the 200 000 mark this month,” he said.

Whitfield described DNA testing as “critical to the successful prosecution of criminals and this issue deserves an urgent solution”.

He resounded the call his party issued last year, for National Police commissioner General Kehla Sitole to look into partnering with private laboratories to address the backlog.

“The DA once again calls on General Sitole, and Minister of Police Bheki Cele to engage with private laboratories as this continued increase in unprocessed DNA case exhibits is holding up the wheels of justice and this must not be allowed.”

The figures released yesterday have also raised concerns for civil rights organisation Action Society.