Police granted access to fingerprint databases

The police will now be able to access databases maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Transport for criminal investigations.

The SAPS will now have access to fingerprint databases after the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act 6 of 2010 came into effect.

The police will now be able to access databases maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Transport for criminal investigations.

The Act also extends the powers of the SAPS to take and retain fingerprints and other biometric materials for criminal investigation purposes.

The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill B2-2009 was drafted and adopted by Cabinet in December 2008. Known as the DNA Bill, it dealt with biometric evidence and aims to expand and upgrade the existing DNA database within the SAPS.

Originally, detail on the setting up of a DNA database was contained in this bill but Parliament’s Portfolio committee on police decided in July 2010 that the idea of a DNA database should be dealt with in a second bill.

In June 2012 the SAPS civilian secretariat presented the policy document on DNA to the police committee. The policy document has been drawn up together with the South African Police Services forensic science services.

Amendments to the South African Police Service Act, included in the Act, make provision for establishing and regulating the administration and maintenance of a national DNA database. The amendments also provide for regulating the storage and use of fingerprints, palm prints, footprints and photographs.