Enhancing Nigeria's Forensic Development: What It Takes

Even though, Nigeria is beginning to accept forensic evidence in some of its judicial procedures, an established framework to implement forensic methods at the core of its criminal and civil investigations is still lacking.

 

Forensic Science has long been in existence with breathtaking discoveries accompanying its global development. Its growth has been in tandem with its diverse applications which transcends several industries and fields of study. 

But the most visible application of forensic science has been in the administration of criminal justice, especially in proving the innocence or guilt of a suspect. Countries that have invested heavily on scientific innovations and technologies seem to benefit more from the utilization of forensics in strengthening their criminal justice systems. 

Barring the backlashes that has trailed the misuse of forensics - mostly due to inability of stakeholders to understand and manage its limitations, forensics has been a force for good. It has helped to exonerate several wrongfully convicted persons through techniques such as DNA Forensics and fingerprints analysis.

 

Yet, many countries are yet fully adopt forensic procedures and techniques into their criminal justice systems. Many factors could be responsible for that. 

Even though, Nigeria is beginning to accept forensic evidence in some of its judicial procedures, an established framework to implement forensic methods at the core of its criminal and civil investigations is still lacking.

Therefore, the need to take bold steps to entrench forensics at core of every civil and criminal litigation, arises. This can only be possible when the steps highlighted below are considered:

1. A Forensic Science Accrediting/Regulation Body

Already, there are 'splinter' forensic science associations already registered in Nigeria.

However, for forensic science to reach the status of other professionally regulatory bodies in Nigeria, we need a unified front. Achieving this is KEY.

Who accredits forensic labs in Nigeria? 

Who checks excesses and unethical practices of forensic practitioners in Nigeria?

Of course, there are ISO standards. But how many comply? Who monitors compliance? 

Whatever approach we adopt to achieve this, stakeholders would have to sacrifice individual grips for the GREATER GOOD.

 

2. Adequate Number Of Fully Equipped And Functional Forensic  With Professionally Trained Personnel (Public And Private)

The need for having trained personnel on forensics and adequately equipped crime labs cannot be overemphasized. This template is true both for government agencies and private forensic service providers with all of them subject to a dynamic and alert monitoring regulatory body or council.

 

This benefits a scenario where if a government prosecutor is tendering evidence obtained from a government forensic lab, the defense can call for an independent reexamination of the evidence. This would help to strengthen the growth and development of forensics in the country.

 

How many well equipped forensic labs with adequately trained personnel and functioning at full efficiency above restrictive leashes.... are there in Nigeria?

The emphasis should be on forensic labs and not hastily created  units or setups with a forensic acronym attached to them. On many occasions, people mistake having a forensic unit or department  to  a functional crime laboratory. Some organizations might create forensic units/departments but lack the efficiency and effectiveness of a functional forensic laboratory.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are two organizations that have received massive support from foreign governments and agencies in terms of capacity building and equipment. 

 

 One may attribute part of the effectiveness in apprehending Drug traffickers at airports due to the training & equipment the NDLEA receives from foreign support especially the US.

 A National Forensic Lab similar to that of the FBI in management, structure and operations, with zonal annexes across the geopolitical zones, coupled with other security agencies developing theirs and the private sector providing quality forensic specialty services...is what Nigeria needs to grow a healthy forensic density

 

3.  A Nationally Adopted and Enforceable Crime Scene/Forensic Investigation Framework

In this case, relevant agencies should be directed to adopt the framework within the standard protocol of operations.

Where every crime scene would be approached "forensically" by every law enforcement, private & public security personnel, emergency response officers etc.

 So every crime scene is processed using the standard forensic procedure of; securing the crime scene, recording, evidence search & recovery, chain Of custody, proper packaging e.t.c.

In June 2018 at a forensic symposium held in Abuja, a Nigerian forensic expert revealed a West African forensic document (of which he contributed to its development) containing basic guidelines to a CSI framework that starts from the crime scene to the lab requirements. 

Question is, what does it take to adopt such as a national policy and build on the framework? Solution to this is - KEY.

In fact, an implementable framework of forensics in Nigeria would open other doors to development such as database development and utilization. 

Imagine what a codified database of forensic case data such as fingerprints and crime scene & criminal DNA would do to our criminal justice system? 

Telecommunication companies such as MTN and Airtel, BVN, FRSC, NIMC, Immigration have millions of our fingerprints stored in their databases. How can we utilize these databases to tackle crimes in our society? What technologies can we deploy to harness these available fingerprints goldmine into a viable tool to begin to apprehend criminals and terrorists?

 

Studies on forensic intelligence (FORINT) have shown that ICT/database development/statistics are precursors to utilizing forensics for security purposes (an aspect of forensics that is yet to be fully explored)

Read: The role of Research in Forensics for National Development

4. A Diligent Approach To Forensic Awareness And Research That Transcends To Solutions (Both On Field And In Court)

More Academic institutions need to incorporate "awardable" forensic courses not just as course units. Thus schools should begin to run BSc, MSc, PhD in forensics allowing space for continuity and growth.

Journals cataloging the research studies for references purposes.

Committed forensic awareness at all levels for judges, lawyers, judicial officers, public & private security personnel and emergency responders.

Some scientific professionals might feel slighted by lawyers ‘arrogant dispositions’ in court. Thus the need to groom such specialists in "Court room theatrics". 

Encouraging Industry based forensic research that in turn brings national development just as National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)  in the US are doing. 

DICON (Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria) in Nigeria is doing fine. But the Nigeria's defense community also need to invest into research. That's global trend. 

 

 It is important to note that a system that converts forensic researches into premium solutions must be in place else, the challenge facing Nigeria's education sector would still affect the development of forensics in Nigeria.

Read: Forensics and National Security in Nigeria (Part 1)