PUBLICATION:
The
DATE:
2005.02.02
EDITION:
Final
SECTION:
Editorial/Opinion
PAGE:
9
BYLINE:
ROBERT MARSHALL spring. E-mail comments to rm112800@hotmail.com
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DNA DILEMMA JUST GETTING WORSE
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A
couple of columns that have run in recent weeks suggest a federal government out
of touch with community protection needs. DNA science provides the opportunity
to expose criminals' current and past deeds and that is the best way to cork
continuation and see justice.
Regrettably,
wishy-washy Liberal legislation obstructs that science and the lacklustre effort
to staff, equip and fund the labs keeps full potential out of reach.
DNA
is the building block for a person's entire genetic makeup and as such becomes a
firm foundation for successful crime investigation. So why is funding limited to
less than $10 million annually for the entire country?
I
received a legion of comments to the DNA columns. One came from Ray Wickenheiser,
who runs the Acadian Crime Lab in
Wickenheiser
is a home-grown boy -- born, raised and educated right here in
Wickenheiser
stood for the expansion of DNA programs but witnessed what should have been an
investment in public safety become something rationed and diminished through the
budget process. After much soul-searching he accepted a position south of the
border.
In
The Journal of Biolaw & Business he writes a compelling argument as to the
benefits of a strong investment in DNA science. Knowing that repeat offenders
commit two-thirds of all sexual assaults and using other official
Another
set of comments came from Dave Hepworth, a 40-year RCMP man and former assistant
manager of the Regina Crime Lab. As a member of the Mounties he obtained a
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in biochemistry. A year and a half ago, a frustrated
Hepworth left the RCMP for good.
He
says that reduced funding and subsequent lab closures forced people like
Wickenheiser and at least 14 other highly trained individuals to take their
Canadian talents elsewhere. The
Experts
both, Hepworth and Wickenheiser agree tougher legislation is needed. Increased
funding would curtail the huge backlogs, burnout and inevitable error.
At
one level the RCMP subscribes to this common-sense thinking. In the most recent
annual report, assistant commissioner Mike Buisson states: "It is a simple
formula. The more profiles entered into the National DNA Data Bank, the more
'hits' that are generated to help police investigators solve serious
crimes."
But
to support their political masters the Mounties' media machine goes to work.
They prefer terms like "cases in progress" to "huge backlog"
and success is achieved by setting easily attainable goals. In the data bank's
2001 annual report, commissioner Guiliano Zaccardelli stated that Canadians can
be proud of the DNA data bank that "will help to solve hundreds of crimes
in the coming years" and after almost five years they celebrated 2,000
hits. Not overly ambitious when compared with
In
The Journal of Biolaw & Business Wickenheiser refers to the judicial inquiry
that examined the Paul Bernardo case. Mr. Justice Archie Campbell stated that
Bernardo, while "his DNA was waiting to be tested, raped four young women
and raped, tortured, and murdered two others. In hindsight, it is clear that
these rapes and murders could have been prevented if Bernardo's DNA sample had
been tested within 30 or even 90 days ... Delays in DNA testing can imperil
personal safety and cost lives."
Hepworth
says that testing often takes four months or more and
The
exodus of extraordinary Canadian talent and its reasons should exasperate us.
Meanwhile in