Deputy Speaker and members of the House, today we are dealing with the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, which deals with the use of deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA.
The use of DNA in solving crime and, in particular, serious, violent crime is imperative in modern law enforcement. Internationally the use of DNA to solve crime has become an important arsenal in the fight against crime, particularly violent crimes.
The Bill before the House amends the Criminal Procedure Act with the intention of enhancing the criminal justice system, allowing for the taking of DNA samples and the establishment of a DNA database within the SA Police Service.
It enhances the use of forensic evidence in combating crime. It translates into legislation the formulated policy with regard to DNA. It also allows for taking DNA samples from persons charged with serious criminal offences and convicted offenders or taking samples that may assist in cases of unidentified remains and missing persons.
The Bill also makes provision for crime scene samples which might be linked with samples of suspects, for DNA samples to be analysed and the results of such analysis to be kept on record for the purpose of the detection of crime and investigation of cases.
The use of DNA and the database will assist with the detection of crime, the prosecution of crime and the identification of unidentified human remains.
However, the Bill also ensures that clear procedures and standards are followed with regard to how DNA is utilised and profiles stored. It gives attention to the safeguarding of the DNA database to ensure that it is not open to abuse. It also ensures the effective oversight of the DNA database and collection process through the establishment of the national forensic oversight board.
This particular Act is going to ensure that the issue of prosecution, which has always been a challenge for crime, especially violent crimes, is dealt with and succeeds. It follows the criminal justice review process, which was done by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster some years ago, of ensuring that in the fight against crime we do things in a smart way and use the entire arsenal at our disposal.
We therefore hope that with the introduction of the Bill and its operation we are going to be able to solve a lot of cases, which remain unsolved, because this is the most scientific way of dealing with crime. As such, it is a silent witness in the fight against crime. [Applause.]