African Forensic DNA Testing Market (2019-2025)

It was found that forensic science, a discipline, had its own history, pioneers, inception problems, and historical achievements in various regions. As per the data by South African Police Services (SAPS), the crime levels indicated in 2012/13 were 16,259 murders, 66,387 sexual offenses, and 105,888 robberies. However, previously there were lot of questions on these data due to relatively poor raw data collection and interpretation of findings. To overcome these issues, forensic DNA testing technology was started to evolve in the African region. Forensic DNA testing is a technology used for identification and investigation of criminals, suspects, ancestors, and other disputes. The African region is currently trying to eliminate climate of criminality with the evolution of this technology. This evolution leads to develop forensic laboratories such as SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and others in various countries of this region.

Rising Government Support and Legislations on the use of DNA Database for Forensics is driving the overall African forensic DNA testing market

DNA database consists of collections of biological samples (if stored), computerized DNA profiles, and other information such as criminal history and ethnicity that may be valuable to identify the criminal and genetics of organism. This database can only be useful if there is a match between DNA profile of suspect and a crime scene DNA profile. Traditionally, uses of DNA databases were restricted due to lack of government support. However, to overcome the challenge of rising crime rate and increasing number of unresolved cases, the various government agencies in the region are changing the rules and regulations associated with the use of DNA technology and DNA database in forensics. Also, the single most important factor necessary for effective DNA database is the legislation related to the creation of the database and its legal use in the region. For instance, the South African government has taken an initiative to support DNA database and became the 54th country to implement legislation to create national DNA Database program due to growing incidences of murders, advancement of technology, and other violent crimes.

In addition, Algeria was the first country in Northern Africa to pass criminal offender DNA database legislation in 2016. Moreover, in the African region, there are 14 countries that apply DNA profiling in their criminal investigations and two countries with a national DNA database. Other countries such as Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are on their way to setup DNA database. Also, South Africa is involved in providing assistance in forensic investigations to other countries.

This rising government support and legislation increases the use of DNA testing kits and related products in forensics for the preparation of DNA profiles in the detection of criminals and help forensic analysts to compare DNA profiles of both suspect and victim; thereby expected to drive the forensic DNA testing market in the African region in the coming years.

On 27 January 2014, the Government of Africa passed the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, 37 of 2013, which is more commonly known as the “DNA Act”. Since, DNA is established, as the material that makes up the genetic code of living organisms and unique for each individual. The act allows the specially trained police officers to take non-invasive DNA samples from arrested persons and convicted offenders which imply that anyone suspected of committing a crime, and all convicted offenders, are expected to give DNA samples to a specially designated police office. Also, the DNA Act ensures that these samples are processed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a forensic laboratory to generate a unique string of characters called a DNA profile. As every person’s DNA profile is different and, similar to a fingerprint, is able to provide evidence in a case. Thus, the act makes possible to compare crime scene evidences such as blood on clothing, with DNA obtained from a cheek scraping taken from a suspect to be analyzed for culprit identification. In addition, South African Police Service developed a DNA Criminal Intelligence Database that is administered by the Biology Unit of the Forensic Science Laboratory.

However, despite of many benefits provided by DNA databases, some criticism is directed at the establishment of such a database and amendment of the act. Concerns regarding the furnishing of consent, the collection of samples, the chain of custody, and privacy issues have been raised which is hindering the implementation of the act in various countries of Africa. It is believed that identification of DNA from a blood drop or bulb containing hair shaft leads to individual’s risk of contracting terminal or chronic diseases from insurance company. Also, unregulated DNA collection and investigation by police is considered as DNA theft in some states/countries pertaining to blackmailing and purchasing of genetic information harming the individuality of the donor. Thus, privacy concerns arising due to the DNA testing and non-uniform regulations are limiting the adoption of DNA technology in many African countries and also limiting full functioning of the DNA Act in South Africa. Thus, non-uniformity in government regulations across the region is one of the major challenges for African forensic DNA testing market.