Evaluating deoxyribonucleic acid evidence to link suspects with rape crime scenes in Pretoria

Abstract

This dissertation reflects the evaluation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) evidence to connect the suspects with rape crime scenes in Pretoria. DNA evidence discovered at the scene of incident can be utilised to identify the perpetrator, individualise the suspect and to link the criminals to the alleged rape scene. In most cases of sexual related and rape offences there are no witnesses, DNA evidence remains as the crucial tool that can be used to solve the cases. Therefore, it is necessary for South African Police Service Local Criminal Record Centre (SAPS LCRC) fieldworkers to attend the crime scenes with intend to collect physical evidence, DNA evidence and ensure that gathered evidence are not contaminated because there will be used to connect the perpetrator to the scene of crime. In this study researcher used qualitative research approach and applied case study a type of research design. To collect data international and national sources were consulted, interviews were conducted using semi structure method interviews with SAPS LCRC fieldworkers from Ga-Rankuwa LCRC and Lyttelton LCRC. Bairagi and Munot, (2019:37) indicated that this type of interview method is advantageous because it combines both structured and unstructured types of interviews. The findings of this study show that participants lack knowledge on the different types of DNA evidence that can be identified in a rape crime scene, the various types of crime scenes in a rape case and the significance of DNA evidence collected from rape scene. The researcher recommends that refresher courses must be conducted annually to assist the fieldworkers and crime scene investigators (CSI) to improve their knowledge about Locard principle, the significance of DNA evidence collected from rape scene, the individualisation and identification of rape suspects, types of DNA evidence that can be collected at the rape and sexual related crime scenes, and how to utilise such evidence to link suspects with crime scene.