Dear Editor,
If anybody had any doubt as to how seriously crime is taken by our prime minister and leader of the Opposition all they have to do is listen to the prime minister's New Year's message.
"We can't sit back and watch our nation's hopes go up in gunsmoke (not smoke)," said Prime Minister Simpson Miller. We need to convince the minister of national security that DNA and forensic science, although not a panacea, can significantly reduce crime or can impact positively their ability to bring criminals to justice.
In 2012, two young men were accused of brutally raping five females, including three children, in Irwin, St James. Even with court testimonies they were eventually set free through the use of DNA samples.
The most recent auditor general's report was very critical of the Forensic Services Laboratory. There has to be major improvement.
Crime is costing the country approximately five per cent of GDP; in 2012 Jamaica's GDP was US$14.84 billion. The level of crime also scares away foreign investors, prevents businesses from expanding, and creates a climate of fear and inertia.
Seriously, the way the Government is functioning, I believe if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) makes reducing crime a part of their conditionalities, no matter how scarce resources are, our Government will find it.
At the same time, the leader of the Opposition is walking a tightrope. While he may not agree with some IMF proposals, he cannot send any signals to his supporters that may be misinterpreted. The economy is too fragile to take any shocks. But embracing DNA and forensics can solve many crimes, as seen abroad. It reduces a heavy reliance on eyewitness testimony, as it can identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exist.
What's more, it can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons accused or convicted of crimes. Of course there will be a need to establish a DNA database, and this will take some time, and as always it can be opened to corrupt practices. For me, however, it is far better than relying on divine intervention, let us leave that for the Pope.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St. Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Make crime reduction IMF conditionality
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If anybody had any doubt as to how seriously crime is taken by our prime minister and leader of the Opposition all they have to do is listen to the prime minister's New Year's message.
"We can't sit back and watch our nation's hopes go up in gunsmoke (not smoke)," said Prime Minister Simpson Miller. We need to convince the minister of national security that DNA and forensic science, although not a panacea, can significantly reduce crime or can impact positively their ability to bring criminals to justice.
In 2012, two young men were accused of brutally raping five females, including three children, in Irwin, St James. Even with court testimonies they were eventually set free through the use of DNA samples.
The most recent auditor general's report was very critical of the Forensic Services Laboratory. There has to be major improvement.
Crime is costing the country approximately five per cent of GDP; in 2012 Jamaica's GDP was US$14.84 billion. The level of crime also scares away foreign investors, prevents businesses from expanding, and creates a climate of fear and inertia.
Seriously, the way the Government is functioning, I believe if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) makes reducing crime a part of their conditionalities, no matter how scarce resources are, our Government will find it.
At the same time, the leader of the Opposition is walking a tightrope. While he may not agree with some IMF proposals, he cannot send any signals to his supporters that may be misinterpreted. The economy is too fragile to take any shocks. But embracing DNA and forensics can solve many crimes, as seen abroad. It reduces a heavy reliance on eyewitness testimony, as it can identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exist.
What's more, it can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons accused or convicted of crimes. Of course there will be a need to establish a DNA database, and this will take some time, and as always it can be opened to corrupt practices. For me, however, it is far better than relying on divine intervention, let us leave that for the Pope.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St. Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Make crime reduction IMF conditionality
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