The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved a bill for a law creating the Lagos State Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Forensic Centre to aid in criminal investigations, law enforcement, the preservation of evidence for the legal system, and for other related objectives.
Following the third reading of the bill in plenary on Monday, the House advanced it with the support of all present members.
Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, made a statement on this subject on Monday.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa presided over an earlier session where the report on the measure was approved.
One of the goals of the center is to establish guidelines for the usage of DNA-based technology in Lagos State for the purposes of profiling or analysis.
According to the statement, the centre is to also “carry out other forensic disciplines including, toxicology, drug chemistry, finger print examination, firearms examination, tool mark examination, ballistics, trace evidence analysis, questioned document examination and digital forensics to obtain evidence relevant to the investigation of criminal offences.
“Provide for the use of DNA profiles in the investigation of crime and the use of such profiles in proving the innocence or guilt of persons.
“Provide for the conditions under which the samples for DNA profiles may be retained or destroyed.
“Establish a DNA database and a DNA Index System in the State as well as establish a DNA bank for storage of reference DNA samples.”
The measure grants the center authority to collect, investigate, document, and retain evidence that may be used in the future to identify offenders, among other things, as well as to obtain specific bodily samples from specific groups of people for DNA analysis.
The bill also grants the center the authority to decipher family ties and relationships of people in order to establish identity, identify abandoned or disputed children, and handle other relevant matters.
The center is anticipated to make recommendations on the best ways to employ DNA tools and techniques for the administration of justice.
