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African forensic experts decry spike in crime, violence

Xinhua, March 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Forensic experts from Sub-Saharan Africa on Monday sounded alarm over a spike in violence and sophisticated crime that threatens stability and development.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for health James Macharia told a conference in Nairobi that African countries have witnessed an upsurge in violence, terrorism, rape and cross border crimes.

"Africa is reeling from many disasters; rape cases, domestic violence, mass deaths in terrorist attacks and motor vehicle accidents. This calls for strengthening of our forensic capacity to apprehend culprits," Macharia said.

The 4th African Society of Forensics Medicine Conference was attended by pathologists, legal experts and advocacy groups to explore ways to strengthen the nations' capacity to unearth perpetrators of crime.

Delegates agreed to share best practices in order to boost forensic practice across Sub-Saharan.

African states are grappling with outdated infrastructure and a skills gap that have undermined their capacity to undertake forensic investigation and unravel perpetrators of violent crime, rape and murder.

Macharia emphasized that effective forensic services were crucial to strengthen criminal justice system.

"Appropriate use of forensic medicine will promote efficiency and transparency in the criminal justice system. African countries should harmonize policies and laws to boost forensic practice," Macharia said.

African countries should prioritize forensic science to deal effectively with violent crime, terrorism, murders and infectious diseases.

African Society of Forensic Medicine chairman, Professor William Odesanmi urged countries to invest in new technology and expertise to boost war on terror, sexual violence and contagious diseases.

"We are facing many security challenges hence the need for governments to invest in forensic infrastructure to detect and report crime and disease causing pathogens," Odesanmi remarked.

African forensic experts have enhanced cooperation with the judicial system to profile crime trends.

Odesanmi said countries have developed common guidelines on forensic medicine to boost war against crime and infectious diseases like Ebola. Endi