Legal Professionals
If you are a legal professional seeking advice on DNA evidence, please contact us for detailed information.
We offer the following services for legal professionals:
- Pro bono service to evaluate the affidavit containing the DNA evidence results. Our feedback is generally within two working days.
- Audit of forensic DNA evidence.
- Evaluation of other expert witness testimony on DNA evidence.
- Expert witness testimony when it is required.
- Training on how to handle DNA evidence in court via our Essential DNA Evidence™ short course. A custom course can be presented to suit your schedule and case.
- Seminar where the current issues related to DNA evidence in court is highlighted.
How is valid scientific data generated?
It is generated via the generic scientific process, which at its core consists of the steps outlined below. Scientific data that is not generated via the scientific process is invalid.
When DNAbiotec® contracts to assist in a court case, we view our role as being there to assist the court – thus not the defence or the prosecution. Our goal is to ensure that valid scientific data is used in court.
It is only by using valid science in court that the courts will be able to draw valid conclusions based on the scientific evidence submitted.
The scientific process consists of the following steps:
- Statement of the problem
- Gather information
- Formulate hypothesis
- Test the hypothesis a) via experiments, with e.g. i) Validated methods ii) Appropriate controls iii) Proficient and competent personnel b) Collect the data c) Record the data
- Analyse the data
- Interpret the data
- Draw conclusions
- Report the conclusions
- Retest
Forensic context in South Africa
The forensic context is different in South Africa than in other countries.
In general there are two types of regulation:
- For the professional working in the field, via regulation of the profession.
- For the laboratory performing analyses, via accreditation of the laboratory.