Police Service Gets DNA Testing Machine

Government has acquired an automated fingerprint machine together with a DNA testing machine to be installed at the CID forensic laboratory to aid in the easy identification of criminals. The Service has not owned a DNA testing machine over the years, and had in the past sought the assistance of other countries to conduct DNA tests. The over-reliance on other countries, which was a financial burden for the Service, also slowed the pace of investigations, thereby hampering the swift delivery of justice. In an interview with Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Chief Inspector Joseph Benefo Darkwa, said criminal investigations will improve tremendously with the acquisition of the Service�s own DNA testing system. �Fortunately for us, the Government has now acquired DNA machines for us. "As I speak, we are installing the machine and hopefully by the end of June or early July, the Ghana Police Service will be in the position to conduct DNA tests here in Ghana. So it�s very good news for the country and the service and we are very happy that now DNA tests will be conducted in Ghana. To a very large extent, it�s going to be very helpful because the DNA test is very accurate" he noted. DNA testing is used extensively in criminal cases. Based on the premise that DNA is as exclusive as a fingerprint, it is a common practice in most jurisdictions to accept the results of DNA tests to match evidence such as blood, saliva, bones, sperm, hair and skin to samples gathered from the victim and the perpetrator. Government has promised to pump more resources into the Police Service to make it more efficient in its core duties. Mr Mahama was speaking at a colourful event at the Police College at Tesano, Accra, during the passing out ceremony of the 43rd Cadet Officers Course. The Vice President during a recent interaction with personnel of the Service, said the Service would soon witness massive infusion of vehicles to support patrol and other duties. He said government had also ordered bullet proof gadgets for personnel during risky operations which might put their lives in danger.