EXPLORING THE PROBATIVE ROLE OF SOME UNDERUTILIZED ‘FORENSIC MARK EVIDENCE’ IN SAFE JUSTICE DELIVERY: A GOLD MINE FOR THE DEFENCE LAWYER?

Abstract

Forensic evidence such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), fingermarks, anthropological evidence, and often document-related evidence is consistently used in Ghana’s criminal jurisprudence. However, the forensic application of some impression/trace-related evidence notably lip print, ear print, and footprint in the Ghanaian criminal justice system is challenging. The recent mention of footprint evidence in the ongoing case involving the death of a Member of Parliament in Ghana, Mr. J. B. Danquah, opens a new vista for the use of such underutilized forensic evidence in Ghanaian courts. This paper discusses some selected impression-related evidence, highlights their potential application in forensic investigation and safe justice delivery, and further informs defence lawyers on what to look out for when evaluating such forensic evidence to avoid the miscarriage of justice in criminal cases.