Lagos Mulls Forensic Lab to Tackle Crime

Lagos state government plans to establish the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre, a DNA forensic laboratory to fulfil the need for DNA profiling, which is a unique forensic technique being used all over the world.

Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, on Tuesday, added that the establishment of the centre was a proof of the government’s commitment towards fighting crime.

Kazeem said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had been on the vanguard of the war against domestic, sexual and violent crimes, adding that the centre would boost the state’s justice sector reforms.

He said, “This facility, which will be driven by the Ministry of Justice, will focus on DNA analysis to support the justice sector in diverse areas such as collection and preserving of reference and evidentiary DNA, which can later be used in identifying criminals; decoding familial relationships of individuals; and identifying victims and remains after natural and man-made calamities.”

Kazeem explained that DNA profiling was an extraction of DNA from body fluids, semen, nails, hair and other generic sources, adding that the centre would help in evidence of alibi and confirm physical presence of suspects at the scene of a crime and the origin of DNA to such suspects.

He said, “Even though the role of DNA in forensics, law enforcement and the justice sector is well known globally, a high-powered DNA analysis centre is not available in Nigeria. This means that most, if not all the DNA testing needs are performed outside Nigeria.”

He added that when operational, the centre would serve the DNA needs of the state, other states and neighbouring countries.