WHERE IS THE ZAMBIAN SHERLOCK HOLMES?
YOU can call him the figment of our imagination, a myth, an whimsical childish character, or even a fantasy but whatever word you best choose to describe Sherlock Holmes, there’s definitely no doubt the impact this legendary investigative character has had on the modern world.
Borne of British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mind, Sherlock Holmes quickly became the poster child for the ideal detective and private investigator.
His proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning makes him the perfect candidate to solve crimes and mysteries. Though fictional, this character largely popularised and influenced the field of investigation and specialised crime busts, a field that has now grown to spurn several crime scenes around the world.
Forensic science has been defined as the application of science and scientific methods to criminal and civil cases and investigations. These methods are varying and often involve the use of complex equipment and methods to accurate ascertain a result.
This form of scientific testing is popular all over the world particularly in western society. Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyse scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others simply occupy a laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals.
In addition to their laboratory role, forensic scientists testify as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil cases and can work for either the prosecution or the defence. While any field certain sections have developed over time to encompass the majority of forensically related cases, allowing for greater strides overall within the field.
Forensic experts and detectives play a critical role in any police force or investigative wing. This is a field however that currently leaves much to be desired in Zambia.
With the notable spike in crimes and heinous activities occurring on a daily basis within the countr,y the need for forensic experts and private detectives in the defensive wings cannot be overstated.
The absence of these experts and services creates a huge vacuum in the justice system and thus places an extra burden on current wings of the State.
A look at the average Zambian crime scene will reveal scores of untrained police men and women playing the role of both forensic expert, psychologist, counsellor and private detective. With credit due to the hardworking men and women of the security forces, it cannot be overemphasised how essential the role of forensic experts and private investigators is. Whenever a crime occurs the police are the first and often only line of call. This burden placed on the backs of the security wings greatly overwhelms the justice system as well as undermines the quality of investigations being executed.
To add on to the lack of forensic experts and private detectives is the absence of specialised forensic equipment required for certain investigations. This may be viewed by some as an unnecessary cost but compared to other countries in the modern world, the availability of such forensic equipment goes a long way in solving crimes and reducing the time and distress that victims and their families have to endure.
Basic forensic machines such as DNA analysis units are widely unavailable within the country, individuals often have to wait for months on end before receiving word on the progress of their case or results from a previous investigations. Officers are often forced to come up with answers and conclusions to crimes simply by looking at the mangled body of a victim regardless of vital clues such as hand prints, strands of hair, blood samples etc.
The lack of proper training additionally contributes to the lack of credible forensic experts in the country. With most higher institutions offering only a streamlined set of courses, breaking the mold is often impossible for an aspiring forensics student.
This gap in the tertiary industry makes it nearly impossible for individuals to receive the necessary training required to practice in the field. Those that lack the time and vast resources to study abroad often stand little to no chance and are forced to opt for standard cliché careers.
Many young people are naturally curious and have a knack for solving mysteries; this is a valuable asset that can easily be molded into expertise with the appropriate aid of tertiary institutions, however for many a student this passion wilts away before he/she can apply to college.
The justice system is often broad and requires the expertise of various fields such as psychology, forensics, behavioural specialists among others. These are fields that could potentially harness for job creation in the country.
Forensics is often called the silent witness; in cases where a crime occurs with no trace of a victim or suspect the lack of private investigators and forensic experts easily means a deadlock in the case. When an individual suddenly goes missing or gets kidnapped, it would be nearly impossible for the police to break even minus the proof of physical evidence.
But as history has shown, some of the most heinous crimes leave little to no traces. Once the perpetrator flees and all that is left is blood and bone, it is the job of the forensic experts to analyse the latter and unravel the mystery beyond what the naked eyes can see.
Without a proper forensics team in the country, the solving of such mysteries is often impossible or a luxury for a select few that can bear the cost of flying crime scene specimens and evidence to forensic laboratories abroad. Many families have had to endure the consequences of this bottleneck the hard way, by burying their loved ones without ever finding out their killers or cause of death. This however is a misery that could easily be prevented through the provision and presence of special investigators and advanced forensic equipment.
The availability of these resources would not only bridge the gap in the justice system but also promote an overall air of transparency within the system.
The use of independent forensic experts as independently contracted detectives will relieve the police the burden of multi-tasking which often creates a loophole for corruption and bribery.
With one individual taking up the role of three distinct professions, the likelihood of corruption greatly increases. This risk greatly threatens The nature and integrity of any investigation as evidence could easily be altered or manipulated. The field of forensics could open up a new sector for employment and wealth creation and therefore is a viable asset not only in the battle against crime but towards promoting overall national development.
This change in the justice system cannot happen overnight but with gradual calculated steps aimed at achieving the specified goal. Moves by stakeholders such as the provision of basic crime scene training for policemen and women would go a long way in improving the outcome of crime investigations in the country. Reforms in the tertiary education structure would also allow for the provision of forensics training services at various levels. This coupled with a decent financial injection into specialised forensic equipment by Government and stakeholders would result in a dead near reform of the crime investigation process in Zambia. With such small steps and more it would not be too far fetched to say that in the generations to come the country might just produce its very own set of proficient detectives dare I say, our very own Sherlock Holmes.