BREAKING: Forensic DNA Evidence Helps To Catch Rapists in Somalia for the First Time in History

[knet]

As usual Puntland head of the game.

Most African countries have few to none forensic bureaus or institutions. Forensic science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientifically-based information through the analysis of evidence.

It is a big moment in Somalia's history as a court in Garowe today used forensic DNA evidence to convict three men accused of the rape and murder of 12 year old Aisha Ilyas. This is the first time forensic DNA evidence is being used to land a conviction in Somalia.

Ilyas was abducted on February 24 at a market in nothern Galkayo. Her body was found the next morning near her home. A post-mortem found that she had been gang-raped then strangled to death. The incident sparked mass demonstrations held across Puntland and the hashtag #JusticeforAisha was created. On Sunday, May 12, the men responsible for her rape and death were finally convicted thanks to forensic science.

The Bureau of Forensic Science of Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, was officially inaugurated on Spetember 6, 2017, in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia. It is the first of its kind in Somalia. Funding for the bureau was by the Swedish government and was facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund. The bureau has three sections: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and physical and trace evidence. According to the press release, crimes related to gender-based violence were of a priority since the inception of the bureau due to "habitual rapists" who were "let loose to prey in Puntland and other places in Somalia simply because there was no scientific proof linking these criminals to the horrific crimes they had committed".

Forensic DNA evidence worked by matching the DNA found at the crime scene with the DNA of the suspects. If a positive match is found, the suspect is thus linked to the crime scene and hence the crime. DNA evidence can be collected from semen, blood, skin cells, saliva, and hair with attached follicular tag, amongst others. The three men found guilty were sentenced to death. 7 others, mostly youths, were acquitted.

The bureau is the sole operating forensic entity in Somalia. This reflects a similar situation in the African continent in general. Most African countries have few to none forensic bureaus or institutions. Forensic science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientifically-based information through the analysis of evidence.

[knet]

Well Done The Bureau of Forensic Science of Garowe, Puntland.

[DayrBare]

Don't lie, its Ramadan. The DNA analysis were done in Kenya

[AwRastaale]

Very good progress by Waqooyi Bari.

I was going to share it. Well done.

[knet]

Don't lie, its Ramadan. The DNA analysis were done in Kenya

Text results were also sent to Kenya to confirm Puntland reading was correct. They had a machine malfunction. Cadi iska dhig and stop hating.

[Nubis]

[barbarossa]

Hats off to Puntland for taking a leading role in introducing forensic science to Somalia. While they are at it, reer Puntland should also consider passing legislation that makes it a mandatory for all felons to provide DNA samples, the result of which should then be stored in the National DNA data bank. Let's not forget how paramount forensic science is in solving crimes, nor should we underestimate the power of DNA, as the best and easiest means to catch the guilty and exonerate the innocent.

[CaliBurco]

No need for forensics when all rapists are majerteeen.

[Smile-LiKe-SuN-RiSE]

The pictures don’t even match. The real perpetrators got away with the murder.
#Somalijustice

[paperino]

Without the rule of law, Somalia cannot move forward. This is a step in the right direction.

[knet]

Without the rule of law, Somalia cannot move forward. This is a step in the right direction.

Indeed Justice must be served, this case should be taught in in law classes across Somalia.

[knet]

No need for forensics when all rapists are majerteeen.

Puntlanders are not stuck in the 80s like the indoors, we have moved beyond blaming everything on Siyad Barre. I hear the daily rape in Hargeysa is still blamed on Siyad Barre to this day. Loo

[CaliBurco]

I'm not saying all majerteen are rapists but all rapists are majerteen.

[MajorIgaare]

No need for forensics when all rapists are majerteeen.

Puntlanders are not stuck in the 80s like the indoors, we have moved beyond blaming everything on Siyad Barre. I hear the daily rape in Hargeysa is still blamed on Siyad Barre to this day. Loo

If you're not stuck in the 80s why haven't you merged your militia with the sna

[Daleys]

No need for forensics when all rapists are majerteeen.

Why do people hate majerteen?