Forensic Science in Ghana: A review

Aaron O. Amankwaa; Emmanuel Nsiah Amoako; Dan Osei Mensah Bonsu; M. Banyeh

doi:10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008

Forensic Science in Ghana: A review

Aaron O. Amankwaa^*, Emmanuel Nsiah Amoako, Dan Osei Mensah Bonsu, M. Banyeh

^*Corresponding author for this work

Northumbria Law School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

338 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The use of forensic science continues to grow across the world. In Ghana, major advancements took off in 2011, including the introduction of modern DNA profiling and the establishment of an automated fingerprint identification system. These developments have led to some positive impacts on the delivery of justice, including the exoneration of a wrongly incarcerated individual. However, a review of the policy-related aspects of forensic science shows gaps in legislation, governance, service provision, quality assurance and accreditation, education and research. An important recommendation to improve forensic science in Ghana is the creation of a “national policy strategy”, a blueprint informed by relevant stakeholders, best practice from other countries and the status of the field. Resolutions to the policy issues identified in this review will ensure a more robust application of forensic science in delivering safe justice and enhancing public security.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	151-160
Number of pages	10
Journal	Forensic Science International: Synergy
Volume	1
Early online date	30 Jul 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008
Publication status	Published - 2019

Keywords

Forensic science
Policy
Legislation
Governance
Impact
Education
Ghana

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Amankwaa et al - Forensic Science in Ghana AAMAccepted author manuscript, 601 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND
1-s2.0-S2589871X1930138X-mainFinal published version, 360 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

@article{346046fac1e74aa99b28c557315ab16b,

title = "Forensic Science in Ghana: A review",

abstract = "The use of forensic science continues to grow across the world. In Ghana, major advancements took off in 2011, including the introduction of modern DNA profiling and the establishment of an automated fingerprint identification system. These developments have led to some positive impacts on the delivery of justice, including the exoneration of a wrongly incarcerated individual. However, a review of the policy-related aspects of forensic science shows gaps in legislation, governance, service provision, quality assurance and accreditation, education and research. An important recommendation to improve forensic science in Ghana is the creation of a “national policy strategy”, a blueprint informed by relevant stakeholders, best practice from other countries and the status of the field. Resolutions to the policy issues identified in this review will ensure a more robust application of forensic science in delivering safe justice and enhancing public security.",

keywords = "Forensic science, Policy, Legislation, Governance, Impact, Education, Ghana",

author = "Amankwaa, \{Aaron O.\} and \{Nsiah Amoako\}, Emmanuel and \{Mensah Bonsu\}, \{Dan Osei\} and M. Banyeh",

note = "Funding Information: This paper, by highlighting some policy issues of forensic science in Ghana, concomitantly, identifies some research gaps for forensic science. For instance, for issues of underutilisation of forensic science in criminal investigations, challenges could be exacerbated by lack of research which disseminates the value of forensic science. As a result, basic research which shadows crime levels and patterns, illuminates effect on national security, identifies investigative needs of the police and areas where forensic science could be beneficial, should boost further desirability for forensic science practice within the legal system. Addressing these research gaps should also inform and justify the need for spending on forensic science in Ghana. Currently, research in Ghana, generally, are stifled by lack of funding. A new educational policy proposes an increase in funding for research in public tertiary institutions in Ghana from 0.3\% of GDP to 1\% [ 86 ]. The limited national research funding may proffer some difficulty in promoting forensic science research. This may be addressed through national and international collaborations among relevant research institutions, law enforcement agencies, forensic science providers and governmental and non-governmental funding agencies. A specific Forensic Science Research Institute (FSRI) could be established to coordinate, oversee and disseminate all forensic research activities and outputs. The FSRI could liaise with relevant agencies such as the FSL and Universities to develop and carry out projects that address gaps in practice. An advantage of this approach is the prevention of duplicated research by different research institutions. Further, the FSRI will serve as a unified source of forensic research information in Ghana. Specific funding grants could be established under the FSRI in collaboration with agencies such as the Research and Grant Institute of Ghana, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to support such research projects.",

year = "2019",

doi = "10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008",

language = "English",

volume = "1",

pages = "151--160",

journal = "Forensic Science International: Synergy",

issn = "2589-871X",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Forensic Science in Ghana

T2 - A review

AU - Amankwaa, Aaron O.

AU - Nsiah Amoako, Emmanuel

AU - Mensah Bonsu, Dan Osei

AU - Banyeh, M.

N1 - Funding Information: This paper, by highlighting some policy issues of forensic science in Ghana, concomitantly, identifies some research gaps for forensic science. For instance, for issues of underutilisation of forensic science in criminal investigations, challenges could be exacerbated by lack of research which disseminates the value of forensic science. As a result, basic research which shadows crime levels and patterns, illuminates effect on national security, identifies investigative needs of the police and areas where forensic science could be beneficial, should boost further desirability for forensic science practice within the legal system. Addressing these research gaps should also inform and justify the need for spending on forensic science in Ghana. Currently, research in Ghana, generally, are stifled by lack of funding. A new educational policy proposes an increase in funding for research in public tertiary institutions in Ghana from 0.3% of GDP to 1% [ 86 ]. The limited national research funding may proffer some difficulty in promoting forensic science research. This may be addressed through national and international collaborations among relevant research institutions, law enforcement agencies, forensic science providers and governmental and non-governmental funding agencies. A specific Forensic Science Research Institute (FSRI) could be established to coordinate, oversee and disseminate all forensic research activities and outputs. The FSRI could liaise with relevant agencies such as the FSL and Universities to develop and carry out projects that address gaps in practice. An advantage of this approach is the prevention of duplicated research by different research institutions. Further, the FSRI will serve as a unified source of forensic research information in Ghana. Specific funding grants could be established under the FSRI in collaboration with agencies such as the Research and Grant Institute of Ghana, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to support such research projects.

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - The use of forensic science continues to grow across the world. In Ghana, major advancements took off in 2011, including the introduction of modern DNA profiling and the establishment of an automated fingerprint identification system. These developments have led to some positive impacts on the delivery of justice, including the exoneration of a wrongly incarcerated individual. However, a review of the policy-related aspects of forensic science shows gaps in legislation, governance, service provision, quality assurance and accreditation, education and research. An important recommendation to improve forensic science in Ghana is the creation of a “national policy strategy”, a blueprint informed by relevant stakeholders, best practice from other countries and the status of the field. Resolutions to the policy issues identified in this review will ensure a more robust application of forensic science in delivering safe justice and enhancing public security.

AB - The use of forensic science continues to grow across the world. In Ghana, major advancements took off in 2011, including the introduction of modern DNA profiling and the establishment of an automated fingerprint identification system. These developments have led to some positive impacts on the delivery of justice, including the exoneration of a wrongly incarcerated individual. However, a review of the policy-related aspects of forensic science shows gaps in legislation, governance, service provision, quality assurance and accreditation, education and research. An important recommendation to improve forensic science in Ghana is the creation of a “national policy strategy”, a blueprint informed by relevant stakeholders, best practice from other countries and the status of the field. Resolutions to the policy issues identified in this review will ensure a more robust application of forensic science in delivering safe justice and enhancing public security.

KW - Forensic science

KW - Policy

KW - Legislation

KW - Governance

KW - Impact

KW - Education

KW - Ghana

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85094624224

U2 - 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008

DO - 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.008

M3 - Review article

SN - 2589-871X

VL - 1

SP - 151

EP - 160

JO - Forensic Science International: Synergy

JF - Forensic Science International: Synergy

ER -

Forensic Science in Ghana: A review

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases: Handbook for Criminal Justice Practitioners

Forensic Science Policy

Developing a Forensic DNA Legislative Framework & Policy for Africa

Cite this

Forensic Science in Ghana: A review

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Research output

Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases: Handbook for Criminal Justice Practitioners

Activities

Forensic Science Policy

Developing a Forensic DNA Legislative Framework & Policy for Africa

Cite this