Assessing the state of forensic support to criminal investigations in Ghana: A case study in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

The study assessed the state of forensic support to criminal investigations by measuring public awareness, knowledge and perception of forensic science in Ghana. A simple random technique was employed to elicit information from 200 consented respondents in selected neighbourhoods in Accra through face to face interviews, questionnaire responses, and random phone calls. The study identified forensic science education as a key challenge among others in the forensic sector. The state of forensics support to criminal investigations in Ghana was rated on the scale of good (10.5%), bad (81.5%) and very bad (8%) indicating that forensic science in Ghana has “gone dark”. The study’s findings call for respective stakeholders and policymakers of Ghana to prioritize forensic support to criminal investigations to promote safety, security, and sustainable economic development.

Forensic science trend, current and challenges in Ethiopia: A narrative review evidence from recent literature and policies

“…They have highlighted the importance of framing a strategic national policy through adopting the best practice of other countries in the field of forensic science. To compliment, another study also hypothesized that level of literacy, interest and occupation, awareness of police investigative methods and the experience of police operations will predict whether a person had knowledge about forensic science or was aware of its application in crime-solving [6] . Conferring to other studies, most of the study respondents <50% were not aware of the use of forensic service in the criminal investigations in Ethiopia [7] .…”

The Perception of Justice Among Wrongfully Convicted Individuals: Life After Exoneration

“…This review suggests that advancements in forensic science could play a pivotal role in reducing the incidence of wrongful convictions by providing more reliable evidence (Robinson et al, 2021). Sulley and Quansah (2020) assess the state of forensic support to criminal investigations in Ghana, offering a case study that underscores the global challenges in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of forensic evidence. Their findings highlight the importance of investing in forensic capabilities to enhance the integrity of criminal justice systems worldwide (Sulley & Quansah, 2020).…”

“…Sulley and Quansah (2020) assess the state of forensic support to criminal investigations in Ghana, offering a case study that underscores the global challenges in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of forensic evidence. Their findings highlight the importance of investing in forensic capabilities to enhance the integrity of criminal justice systems worldwide (Sulley & Quansah, 2020). Thomas and Hoyt (2023) further investigate the psychological impact of wrongful convictions, focusing on the retrospective trajectories of distress experienced by exonerees.…”