Nadine Dantier, Vanessa Lagesse, Marie-Anita Jolita? These are some cases where the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) could have been useful. But, as it is not in a position to conduct DNA tests that would be admissible in court, the FSL had to send the samples to be tested to South Africa. As a consequence, so much time and money is lost. And yet, Mauritius has all the necessary equipment to do the tests. The latter was the subject of a parliamentary question by opposition MP Maya Hanoo-manjee to deputy prime minister, Rashid Beebeejaun, in the absence of the PM last Tuesday.

?The laboratory is still not fully operational - partly due to a lack of trained staff. As a result, the equipment bought in 1996 for DNA tests has to be replaced because it is considered obsolete without being of any use.?

In his reply, Rashid Beebeejaun made it clear that a ?new genetic analyser together with its genetic analysis computer system was acquired for the sum of around Rs 6 million?. He also said, ?ÒThe training of staff was carried out from May 2006 to November 2006 by a South African Support Specialist and Application Specialist.? Everything should then be ready to start conducting DNA tests in Mauritius to help police investigations. But, obviously, it is still not the case. ?The FSL has not been very helpful in shedding some light on crimes so far,? confides an investigator.

According to the FSL ? and as reported by the DPM in Parliament, ?DNA test results are not yet admissible in courts of law as statistical interpretation of DNA profiles is not possible in the absence of a DNA population database?. However, another close source points out that, even in cases where the database is not necessary, the FSL does not seem to be in a position to give quick results. ?In some cases, a mere comparison between some part of a dead body with something that belonged to the person is enough for a DNA test. But the FSL is not giving results on such exams either,? says the source.

What may also have prevented the FSL from moving forward with DNA tests so far is also the fact that it only relies on blood samples. ?But when British experts came to Mauritius, they insisted that any policeman could take a sample of saliva to conduct DNA tests?? reveals the source.

So the laboratory is still not fully operational ? partly due to a lack of trained staff as well. As a result, the equipment bought in 1996 for DNA tests has to be replaced because it is considered obsolete without being of any use to help shedding light on crimes.

According to the reply in Parliament, the FSL can?t move forward with tests because of the absence of a DNA population database, which actually requires a legislation to be built up. ?The draft DNA legislation is under preparation and as soon as it is ready it will come to Parliament,? said Rashid Beebeejaun. The idea of this bill would be to make DNA tests compulsory for suspects. In his reply to the Private Notice Question of 29th June, the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, also announced, ?We are coming shortly with a DNA legislation, which will allow DNA tests to be carried out on persons suspected of having committed offences. Foreign expertise is again being enlisted for this purpose.?

But some experts are sceptical about the rapid introduction of the bill in Parliament. ?Even if we want to take the blood of someone, we need to have the person?s consent. We have to start somewhere and we do not have to wait for any legislation to start DNA tests here,? claims someone particularly concerned with the issue.

The problem in sending the samples abroad is the waste of time and money. It takes about three months for results from South Africa to come back. Which means that the police must wait three months to know whether it holds the right suspect. And may have to start everything from scratch if it is not the case. In three months, the real criminal has enough time to make up an alibi or even fly away. Likewise, how many times did experts have to go to London in the Vanessa Lagesse case? This is as much money thrown down the drain.

Meanwhile, the public expresses doubts about DNA tests. The strengthening of the FSL would undeniably help reassure the public that Mauritius has the means of tracking criminals.