Training of legal professionals in DNA evidence |
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| Affiliation: | 1. DNAbiotec (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa;2. ForPsych Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Perth, W.A., Australia;3. Forensic DNA Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa;4. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa;1. Laboratorio de Genética Molecular de Cruz Vital – Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana Quito, Ecuador;2. Laboratorio GENES Ltda, Medellin, Colombia;1. Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany;2. IPATIMUP – Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal;3. Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain;1. Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, United States;2. American Registry of Pathology, United States;3. Flinders University, Australia;4. National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States;1. Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark;2. IPATIMUP–Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Portugal;3. Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Portugal;4. DNA Diagnostic Laboratory, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
The South African Criminal Legal System is based on Roman Dutch law. Court proceedings are led by a single presiding officer of the court. Prosecutors and defence advocates present the court with evidence in an adversarial manner. This system has inherent advantages and disadvantages and therefore the training of legal professionals in handling DNA evidence in court is important. The prosecutors resort under the National Prosecuting Authority and the defence advocates act independently or e.g. under the auspices of Legal Aid South Africa.Education curricula of legal professional do not include forensic science evidence. Principles such as evidential value in the forensic context are not addressed. Training of legal professionals with our Essential DNA Evidence™ Course has been a multiplier of forensic science knowledge in the legal profession in South Africa. We present prosecution and defence perspectives in an unbiased manner, compensating for the possible subjective interpretations of evidence that may be presented in court. Forensic evidence is subsequently carefully evaluated prior to being court presentation thus improving court efficiency, and allowing for a more focussed approach to the presentation of evidence. Approaches to the customisation of course content that adds value has been identified via evaluation of training programmes.Experience has shown that legal professionals have the ability to incorporate relatively complex scientific concepts into their legal arguments if provided with the appropriate training opportunity. Appropriate training in DNA evidence has made the court process more effective, both in terms of time and costs, and ultimately serves justice. |
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| Keywords: | Training Legal professionals |
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