Availability of forensic science equipment and the challenges of applicability in Niger State Judiciary System, Nigeria
Keywords:
Availability, Challenges, Forensic Science, JudiciaryAbstract
This paper examined the availability of equipment and challenges of applying Forensic Science in the adjudication and dispensation of justice in Niger State Judiciary. The importance forensic methods were outlined; the study aim, objectives and hypotheses were posited in line with the emergence of forensics in Nigeria. The Cognitivism Theory was adopted as the framework. The survey design method was adopted in which 108 questionnaires were returned and analysed. The findings revealed that there is no/inadequate functional Forensic Science equipment, laboratory in Niger State. More so, inadequate funding, staffing, manpower training, poor maintenance culture, nature of appointment and poor personnel welfare negatively affects application of forensic science investigation negatively in Niger State, recommendations advanced is targeted at constructing a befitting Forensic Laboratory for state and Nigeria in general.Downloads
References
1. Aigbokhaevbo V. & Iyamu-Ojo E. (2021). Criminal Justice in Nigeria: Forensic Science as Panacea. Retrieved from http://www.researchgate.net/publication
2. Akwaji F.N., Uyang F.A. & Abonor L.B. (2017). Urban Slums and Youth Criminality in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State. Annals of Humanities and Development Studies, 8(1), 12-22
3. Chibuikem I. & Gideon A. (2021). Public Awareness, Knowledge of Availability and Willingness to Use Laboratory Facilities Amongst African Adults. International Journal of Surgery Protocols, 25(1), 123-128
4. Deslauriers-Varin N. & Fortin F. (2021). Improving Efficiency and Understanding of Criminal Investigations: Towards an Evidence-Based Approach. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 36, 635-638
5. Eyewu A.E. (2020). Why Forensic? Retrieved from http://www.jimidisu.com/why-forensic-by-avril-eyewu-edero
6. Government Office for Science. (2015). Annual Report: 2014-2015. Retrieved from http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government
7. Ladipo O.A. (2020). Effective Investigation: A Pivot to Efficient Criminal Justice Administration – Challenges in Nigeria. Retrieved on 12/8/2020
8. LSD & FC. (2020). Lagos Opens Nigeria’s DNA Lab. Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre
9. Morgan R.M. (2019). Forensic Science: The Importance of Identity in Theory and Practice. Oxford: ScienceDirect. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
10. Nkobowo N. (2023). The Law of Evidence in Civil Claims in Nigeria — A Primer from The Cases Pt 1. Retrieved from https://www.lawpavilion.com/blog/the-law-of-evidence-in-civil-claims-in-nigeria-a-primer-from-the-cases-pt-1
11. Nwanze C. (2023). The Urgent Need for Police Reform. The Cable. Retrieved from http://www.thecable.ng
12. Nwokolo M. & Ivongbe M.I. (2022). A Review of Forensic Science Evidence Admissibility for Handling Criminal Prosecution in Nigeria. Law Audience Journal, 3(4), 64-76
13. Olonisakin T.T., Ogunleye A.J., & Adebayo S.O. (2017). The Nigeria Criminal Justice System and Its Effectiveness in Criminal Behavioural Control: A Socio-Psychological Analysis. Journal of Humanity and Social Sciences, 32, 27-42
14. Olu N. & Elechi O.O. (2018). The Nigerian Police Forensic Investigation Failure. Journal of Forensic Sciences and Criminal Investigation, 9(12), 122-134
15. Oregugbunam I.K.E. (2019). Jurisprudence Adversarial Justice. African Journal Online. Retrieved from http://www.ajol.info
16. Powell J.L. (2022). Premature Rejection in Science: The Case of the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis. Sage Journals Science Progress. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com. doi.org/10.1177/00368504211064272
17. Santamaría-García H., Cotrina J.M., Torres N.F., Buitrago C., Aponte-Canencio D.M., Caicedo J.C., Billeke P., Gantiva C., & Baez S. (2021). Explicit and Implicit Markers of Fairness Preeminence in Criminal Judges. Scientific Reports, Sept 2, 2021 (nature.com)
18. Sarki Z.M. & Mat Saat G.A. (2020). Nigeria Police and Forensic Criminal Investigations: A Review of Some Critical Issues. International Journal of Criminal Sciences, 15(1), 63-72
19. Susruthan N.K. & Sundaram A. (2022). A Study of the Issues and Challenges of Forensic Science Under the Criminal Justice System. Baltic Journal of Law & Politics, 15(4), 791-799. doi:10.2478/bjip-2022-004072
20. Thompson R.B. & Thompson B.F. (2012). Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiment. Retrieved from http://www.thriftbooks.com
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


