Unaccredited and unregulated – when science does not serve justice

ABSTRACT

In South Africa, forensic scientists have joined forces to form a professional body that represents the forensic science sector. The negative impact of an unaccredited national deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) laboratory and unregulated forensic science profession will take a significant effort to undo and will not be accomplished without interventions at various levels. In this regard, science has not served justice. At present, despite the national DNA laboratory testifying (since 2001) that accreditation is under way, to our knowledge the only independent audit of data generated by this national laboratory has been when independent experts were contracted to perform technical audits on a case-by-case basis. This situation is untenable in the pursuit of justice at the national level. A lack of accountability, both at the professional and institutional levels, in any sector, breeds complacency and eventually has detrimental effects on the delivery of justice to citizens. Despite the late hour, concerted actions can turn the tide and allow science to serve justice.

KEYWORDS:

• Unaccredited
• unregulated
• DNA
• South Africa

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Professor Melodie Labuschaigne and Professor Anne Pope for clarification of legal aspects.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

DNAbiotec (Pty) Ltd covered all expenses related to the research presented and the drafting of this paper.