Forensics key in sexual violence probe

Forensic scientists have termed cases of sexual violence as endemic, and rallied African governments to establish DNA databases for offenders.

“Some of the sexual gender based violence victims are too naive to seek early medical intervention so as to be put on preventive doses and thereby leads to loss of evidence,” Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor told the 4th African Society of Forensic Medicine meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday.

A study conducted in 2010 by the government and Unicef showed that one in ten girls and one in 20 boys had experienced at least one episode of sexual violence.

Dr Oduor cited the importance of setting up solid health systems that recognise forensic science as an appropriate field linking medical practice and the justice systems in the continent.

“In many cases, the prosecution has depended in eye witness statements that have been subject to contradictions and threats thereby compromising the quality of justice,” said Dr Oduor.

Themed, ‘Forensic Management of violence in Africa,’ the conference hosted 200 delegates from 20 African countries and other parts of the globe and saw the launch of a manual on the minimum standards for forensic medicine Practice in Africa.

“The manual provides an African forensic practitioner even in the remote places a general guide on the appropriate approach to these issues in meeting medico-legal requirements in their various jurisdictions,” said Prof Williams Odesanmi, ASFM chairperson and a forensic pathology specialist.

A forensic pathologist is involved in gathering evidence on a person’s cause of death by submitting samples of body tissues and fluids for laboratory examination and preparing detailed reports and also signs death certificates, gives testimony at inquests and in court.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia challenged the experts to improve forensic science in their respective countries adding that analysis of calamities should provide answers that leave no questions unanswered.

“Africa is encountering many disasters, rapes, domestic violence, death in custody, mass deaths in terrorist attacks, motor vehicle accidents and other catastrophes and needs to develop the forensic field within its borders,” said Mr Macharia in a speech read on his behalf by Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri.

Macharia noted that Kenya is currently drafting guidelines in forensic medicine and mortuary management and called for the improvement of documentation and management of post-rape care and violence cases.

He expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions on the National Coroner Service Bill will boost the standards including evidence collection to prosecute criminals and prevent further crime.

The Coroners Bill seeks to regulate and provide for rules and procedures for preservation, movement and the exhumation of bodies and will see the appointment of the Coroner General who will advise government on how to prevent deaths from similar causes.