PHASE 2 OF FORENSIC CENTRE WILL AID DEATH INVESTIGATIONS-LAGOS ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

     Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem on Tuesday disclosed that the planned Phase 2 of the State Forensic programmes will help in death investigations involving suspicious poisoning, alcohol, and use of other dangerous substances.

The Commissioner, who stated this at the 3rd annual Lagos Forensic Symposium (LFS) organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the DNA & Forensic Centre and ITSI-Biosciences, noted that the establishment of the next phase of the DNA centre will not only help in complementing and maximising the level of services already being offered but will also enhance investigation by security agencies and prosecution by the Office of the Attorney-General.

Kazeem, represented at the symposium by Mrs. Funlola Odunlami, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said the State Government is pleased with the performance of the DNA and Forensic Center since its establishment last year.

In his words, “The Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre (LSD&FC) was commissioned last year by Governor Ambode which enabled Nigeria to join the countries that are already using and applying scientific methods to prosecute, exonerate, defend; law enforcement, criminal investigations, national security and disaster management”.

“In phase 2 of LSD&FC, toxicology and drug chemistry disciplines will be established to help with death investigations involving suspicious poisoning and alcohol”, the Attorney-General added.

He averred that the Centre has already played a role in the rapid resolution of cases concerned with murder, child trafficking, rape/defilement of a child, burglary and disaster victim identification.

The Commissioner specifically recalled the Otedola Bridge Fire accident where nine bodies were successfully matched to their families using DNA technology, saying that the identification process was completed in less than four weeks after the incident as against over six months when samples were shipped abroad for analysis.

“For the first time, Lagos State did not have to rely on laboratories outside Nigeria to identify victims that were burnt beyond recognition”, Kazeem said.

He revealed that the 3rd annual LFS will feature leading and world-renowned talent with cognate experience in forensic science who will interact with various stakeholders in the judicial, medical, security and emergency management services on the importance of Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre (LSD&FC) to the criminal justice system.He maintained that interactive the session will provide participants with up-to-date information on how forensic science is currently applied in criminal investigations, law enforcement, mass fatalities, sexual assault, and other matters of interest to Lagos State and Nigeria.