Abstract

Research Article

Awareness level on the relevance of forensics in criminal investigation in Nigeria

Omorogbe Owen Stephen, Orhue Osazee Kelvin, Ehikhamenor Edeaghe and Nwawuba Stanley Udogadi*

Published: 15 October, 2021 | Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Pages: 053-057

The main aim of forensic science is to gather intelligence to enable the judge to credible and logical decisions in the court by means of scientific approach through evaluation of evidence for the administration of justice, and country around the world now considers forensic methodology as the gold standard for criminal investigation. Therefore, the present study examined the level of awareness on the relevance of forensics in criminal investigation in Nigeria. The design used in this study is the survey research design and the sample size of this study was a total of one hundred personnel of law enforcement and the judiciary. The study adopted descriptive statistics which involves the use of frequency and percentage. The result of the present study revealed that the participants were distributed socio-demographically as follows; there was an observable higher number of male participants (68%) relative to the female participants (32%), As per age distribution, a larger population of the participants were found to be > 40 years of age with 55%, and it was observed that age between 35-39 years ranked the least with 15%. On educational level, the result of the present study revealed that majority of the participants possesses a bachelor’s degree as the highest level of educational qualification with 75% from a pool of 100% of participants. The present study further examined responses on the relevance of forensics in criminal investigation, and the result revealed an inadequate level of awareness on the relevance of forensics in criminal investigation. Therefore, the study recommends that the Nigerian Police Force and the Judiciary should collaborate with Universities running programs on forensics for trainings.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.jfsr.1001028 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Forensics; Forensic in Nigeria; Forensic evidence; Relevance of forensics and crime in Nigeria

References

  1. Marasa MH, Miranda MD. Forensic Science. Encyclopedia of Law and Econ. 2014; 1-6.
  2. Ladapo OA. Effective investigations, a pivot to efficient criminal justice administration: Challenges in Nigeria. Afr J Crim Justice Stud. 2011; 5: 79-94.
  3. Cardinetti B, Cammarota C. Negative Conclusion Cases: A Proposal for Likelihood Ratio Evaluation. Law Probability and Risk. 2005; 4: 79-88.
  4. Ngboawaji D. An Evaluation of the Challenges of Forensic Investigation and Unsolved Murders in Nigeria. Afr J Crim Justice Stud. 2012; 6: 143-162.
  5. Alisigwe OJ, Oluwafemi OM. The State of Forensic Science in Crime Investigation and Administration of Justice in Nigeria. Int J Sci Eng Res. 2019; 10: 1720-1725.
  6. Alemika EEO, Chukwuma IC. Criminal Victimization, Security and Policing in Nigeria. Monograph Series. 2006; No 6. CLEEN Foundation Lagos.
  7. Nwawuba SU, Momoh SM, Nwokolo CC, et al. Key DNA profiling markers for identification: A mini review. Pharm Pharmacol Int J. 2020; 8: 337‒343.
  8. Tjin-A-Tsoi. Trends, Challenges and Strategy in the Forensic Science Sector. Netherlands Forensic Institute. 2013; 1-28. https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/oles/trends-challenges-and-strategy-in-the-forensic-science-sector-march-2013-_tcm120-494231.pdf
  9. Heathfield LJ. Policy required for entry of DNA profiles onto the National Forensic DNA Database of South Africa. S Afr J Sci. 2014; 110: 1-3.
  10. El-Alfy SH, El-Hafez AF. Paternity testing and forensic DNA typing by multiplex STR analysis using ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2012; 10: 101–112.
  11. Nwawuba SU, Okechukwu FC, Momoh SM, et al. The Position of Forensic DNA Database in Criminal Investigation: Understanding the Utilization in Africa, Particularly Nigeria a Review. Int J Foren Res. 2021; 2: 57-66.
  12. Nwawuba SU, Akpata CBN. Awareness level on the role of forensic DNA database in criminal investigation in Nigeria: A case study of Benin city. J Foren Sci Res. 2020; 4: 007-014. https://www.heighpubs.org/jfsr/jfsr-aid1019.php  
  13. Narejo N, Avais MA. Examining the Role of Forensic Science for the Investigative-Solution of Crimes. Sindh Univ Res Jour (Sci Ser). 2014; 44: 251-254.
  14. Oguntunde PE, Oluwadare OO, Okagbue HI, Oguntunde OA. Analysis of selected crime data in Nigeria. Data in Brief. 2018; 19: 1242–1249. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30229003/
  15. Olonisakin TT, Adedeji JO, Sulaiman OA. The Nigeria Criminal Justice System and Its Effectiveness in Criminal Behaviour Control: A Social-Psychological Analysis. J Human Soc Sci. 2017; 22: 33-34.
  16. Alemika EEO. Crime and public safety in Nigeria. CLEEN Foundation. 2014; 1-205.
  17. Tozzo P, Fassina A, Caenazzo L. Young people's awareness on biobanking and DNA profiling: results of a questionnaire administered to Italian university students. Life Sci Soc Policy. 2017; 13(1):9.
  18. Machado H, Silva S. “Would you accept having your DNA profile inserted in the National Forensic DNA database? Why?” Results of a questionnaire applied in Portugal. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2014; 8: 132–136.
  19. Milot E, Marie MJ, Hugo G, Crispino F. The National DNA Data Bank of Canada: a Quebecer perspective. Front. Genet. 2013; 4: 1-7.
  20. Wet S, Oosthuizen H, Visser J. DNA profiling and the law in South Africa. PER: Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad. 2011; 14: 171-207.
  21. Orhue K, Omorogbe OS, Ehikhamenor E, et al. Assessment of Knowledge and Perception on The Need for Establishment of Forensic DNA Database in Nigeria. Int J. Inn Eng Res Tech. 2021; 8: 52-57.
  22. Machado H, Silva S. What influences public views on forensic DNA testing in the criminal field? a scoping review of quantitative evidence. Hum Genomics. 2019; 13: 1–13.
  23. Gowsia FK, Sheeba A. Role of Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation: Admissibility in Indian Legal System and Future Perspective. Int J Adv Res Sci Engineer. 2018; 07: 220-234.
  24. Obafunwa JO, Ajayi O, Okoye MI. Medical evidence and proof of cause of death in Nigerian courts. Med Sci Law. 2018; 58: 122-134. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29381106/
  25. Kehinde A. Law and Forensic: Techniques of Evidence Gathering and Case Presentation in Court. Nigeria Village Square. 2020; http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/law-and-forensic-techniques-of-evidence-gathering-and-case-presentation-in-court.html
  26. Nwawuba SU, Mohammed KA, Adams TB, Precious IO, Davidson EA. Forensic DNA Profiling: Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat as a Prominent Marker in Crime Investigation. Malay J Med Sci. 2020; 27: 22–35. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32863743/

Figures:

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1

Figure 3

Figure 1

Figure 4

Figure 1

Figure 5

Figure 1

Figure 6

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?