Lagos state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 5th Crime Scene Management Training held at the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre on Monday, 5th March, 2018.
Mr. Kazeem said all over the world, Crime Scene Management requires effective recognition and identification of physical and biological evidence, collection and preservation of evidence, documentation, scientific analysis of the evidence and presentation of impartial facts in the court. To facilitate and achieve these crucial goals, His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commissioned this world class edifice that we are using today.
The DNA & Forensic Center since its commissioning has received over 350 applications from within and outside of Nigeria, and over 50 of those cases have been resolved. Recently, and owing to high incidence of alcohol and drug related accidents and deaths in the State, The Governor has approved the inclusion of a toxicology unit as additional forensic section to complement the DNA center and address the needs of the citizenry.
The training is therefore very important and apt as the Nigerian Police will be better equipped and know how to manage scene of crime and ensure same is preserved for adequate collection and preservation of physical evidence, maintenance of chain- of – custody, processing and use in the court to resolve cases unequivocally.
The training will expose the Police to the current methods and the international best practices used in crime scene processing and documentation, thereby leading to quicker dispensation of Justice.
Lagos state ministry of Justice, have continued close relationship with the Nigeria Police and LSD&FC has conducted several trainings and seminars for Police investigators and prosecutors. Today evolving partnership between the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Nigerian Police Forensic Team and LSD&FC is significant and a welcome development and a sign of progress in advancing the Administration of criminal Justice in Lagos State and the Federation.
The Inspector-General of Police who was represented by DIG. Emmanuel Inyang in charge of Training and Development thanked the State government for the cordial relationship enjoyed by the Police in the State.
Also in attendance are Mr. Hatmut Zander Programme Manager GIZ, Mrs. Shirley Johnson Director of the Lagos DNA Forensic Center. Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Titilayo Shitta – Bay and her team. Senior Police Investigated from Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Odun and Lagos.
The programme will last for two weeks.
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