The benefits of expanding and developing a comprehensive National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database translates into the following unarguable premise: that the greater the size of the DNA database, the more crimes that will be solved, a fact that is evidenced by the plethora of material and research conducted around the world coupled with the call in most countries expanding their databases, to expand the coverage of their convicted offender databases by the implementation of laws enabling the collection of DNA samples from minor offenders and suspected offenders.

Using DNA Profiling to trace offenders suspected of committing a crime is one of the biggest advances in tackling crime since fingerprinting. When DNA profiling is used judiciously it achieves, inter alia, the following purposes:

• Quick identification of linked/serial crimes
• Earlier arrest of offenders
• Valuable intelligence
• Earlier exoneration of innocent suspects
• Easier identification of bodies
• Deterrence

Whilst we know in SA, the FSL’s efforts have been unable to keep pace with the high throughput of samples required to be processed, the DNA Project aims, at various levels to assist the FSL to increase the input of additional DNA samples onto the NDCID thereby expanding the database on a daily basis.  Current delays in processing offender samples not only reduce the number of cases solved, but can lead to situations where offenders are released from custody before the evidence linking them to other crimes has been analyzed, and they are free to re-offend. Furthermore, experience abroad has also shown that the DNA sample which results in the solution of a rape, for example, is often collected on the basis of the offender’s conviction for a nonviolent offense such as a burglary, a drug offense, or a theft.

The importance of Crime Stains

Equally as important as the analysis of the suspected offender samples, is the analysis of the biological evidence (known as "Crime Stains") collected from crime scenes, regardless of whether a suspect has been identified in that case. There is a misconception currently in the police service as well as the general public that “crime stains” or DNA samples collected form the field, where no suspect has been identified, are not capable of being collected and transformed into a DNA profile capable of being stored in our NDCID. This is not true – HOWEVER, crime stains are not being analysed for DNA due to an embargo placed on the FSL which presents them from processing DNA profile on crime stains where there is no suspect – this is an untenable situation and completely negates the value and purpose of s criminal intelligence database. This embargo needs to be urgently lifted and funding put in lace to ensure that ALL crime stains are processed routinely for DNA.