The Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute needs about N.dollars 30 million to complete a backlog of 4 375 pending DNA cases over the next three years.
Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, the director of the institute, Commissioner Nelius Becker said the main challenge delaying DNA cases is lack of money to acquire mostly reagents, a substance used in chemical analysis.
Becker explained that the forensic screening test kit which takes up to 360 cases costs about N.dollars 600 000 while the forensic analysis kit costing N.dollars 1.5 million can complete 70 cases.
“We can manage the backlog cases over the next three years provided that funds are made available. Our entire forensic budget cannot cover all the backlog; we need to look for a separate budget for DNA,” he said.
Becker explained that the forensic investigation process is extremely costly and takes time, hence many court cases are pending due to the inability of sample testing for evidence.
Echoing the same sentiments, Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga said the institute is functioning with minimal funds in ensuring that forensic investigation and analysis are accomplished as part of the criminal justice system.
Ndeitunga stressed that NamPol cannot be blamed entirely for delayed samples as the main cause is lack of money and resources, adding that the police budget is limited and thus affecting the competence of the criminal justice system.
“Government is the main source of funding and it is very rare to get revenue from elsewhere. Prosecutors are frustrated because of delayed lab results. Some cases are dating back from 2016 to 2017 and justice denied is justice delayed, hence some criminals are walking out freely,” stressed Ndeitunga.
Ndeitunga noted that currently the police are working towards capacitating the institute by sending some police officers for forensic and investigation training, while pleading with the government for more funds to obtain maximum case finalisation.
The Namibia Press Agency
