4th DNA Forensic Symposium: Challenges and future directions in Africa.

J H Smith, V Lynch, A O Amankwaa, B Budowle, S A Fonseca, S K Shako, I Molefe

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Forensic science international. Synergy, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

J H SmithForensic Services, South African Police Service/ University of South Africa. Corresponding author, 270 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.

V LynchDNAforAfrica, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

A O AmankwaaUniversity Quality Lead (CSFS Accreditation), Department of Applied Sciences, UK.

B BudowleDepartment of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland/ Forensic Science Institute, Radford University, Radford, VA, 24013, USA.

S A FonsecaAfrican Centre for Medicolegal Systems, Missing Persons Global Response, International Committee of the Red Cross, 202 East Avenue Sunnyside, Pretoria, South Africa.

S K ShakoAdvisor to Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Kenya.

I MolefeUniversity of Cape Town, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The 4th Forensic DNA Symposium in Africa underscored the critical role of regional collaboration in advancing forensic sciences, with a particular focus on forensic DNA examinations, databases, and humanitarian initiatives. The symposium aimed to assess the current forensic DNA capabilities across African countries and develop strategies to expand and better utilize DNA platforms. Key findings from the symposium highlight the necessity for enhanced cooperation among African nations to build robust forensic DNA databases and improve data-sharing mechanisms. The symposium also identified significant gaps in current capabilities and the need to develop legal frameworks, infrastructure, and expertise to support forensic initiatives. Moving forward, these findings suggest a strategic focus on capacity building, establishing standardized procedures, and implementing sustainable forensic practices across the continent. Champions were nominated by attending delegates to lead their respective countries in the implementation of these strategies, marking a critical step towards strengthening forensic science in Africa and addressing the pressing challenges related to crime and humanitarian efforts.

Indexed as

AfricaDNA databasesFemicideGender violenceHumanitarian forensic actionMissing personsSexual offencesUnidentified human remains

Identifiers

PMID39328325

DOI10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100555

PMCPMC11424799

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.