The time has come to make yourself HEARD! Why? Because the Portfolio Committee on Police (National Assembly) has invited interested individuals and organisations to submit written submissions on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill (also referred to as the “DNA Bill”)
The adoption of the DNA Bill now requires public submissions, and lots of them, commenting on the Bill – and it is here that each one of you reading this entry, must take a stand and make the time to email your submissions to jmichaels@parliament.gov.za by no later than 23 October 2009 as to why you think it is fundamental that this law is passed in SA. Your email will not be one in a string of unread emails that circulates endlessly, crying out for a change. Your email WILL EFFECT that change, and the more people you tell to comment on the Bill, the more chance we have of ensuring that the Bill is passed by Parliament in its final form. If ever there was a time to tangibly make a difference in SA, it is now. Please – make yourself heard.
Invitations for written submissions on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill [B2- 2009] have now been called for. PLEASE make yourself heard and email your submissions to the Portfolio Committee on Police before 23 October 2009.
The Portfolio Committee on Police (National Assembly) has invited interested individuals and organisations to submit written submissions on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill.
The Bill, in essence, addresses the following issues:
It deals with all aspects of collecting and using DNA in crime detection, especially the use of DNA profiles for criminal intelligence purposes.
It seeks to expand and upgrade the existing DNA database within the SAPS so as to improve the chances of matching a suspect to a crime scene.
The law will allow for DNA profiles to be uplifted from all convicted offenders retrospectively. This means that all criminals can have their DNA profiles taken before release from prison. If they re-offend a match can quickly be made between a crime scene and the offender.
It will also allow police officers (as opposed to registered medical practitioners), to easily uplift a DNA profile from everyone arrested, using a buccal (saliva) swab or finger prick, for entry onto the DNA Database.
It will allow SAPS access to the fingerprint databases held by the Departments of Transport and Home Affairs. This would provide the police with access to over 40 million fingerprints.
Comments can be emailed to Committee Secretary: Mr Jeremy Michaels at jmichaels@parliament.gov.za by no later than 23 October 2009
Enquiries: Mr Jeremy Michaels, tel. (021) 403-3806 / cell 083 709 8445
Issued by: Honourable LS Chikunga, Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Police
The Bill can also be viewed here: www.pmg.org.za/bill
