FORENSIC EVIDENCE: PATH TO SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE IN SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The value of forensic evidence in criminal justice administration in sexual offences world over is tremendous, yet much of our criminal justice administration in Nigeria rely on oral evidence and medical reports that merely scratch the surface of the crime. Ensuring that innocent persons are not erroneously convicted for a crime requires more than oral evidence and medical report. Generation and admission of forensic evidence (FE) with almost mathematical science accuracy are of the essence if our criminal justice will be elevated from the place of intuition and judge’s appreciation of evidence albeit jaundiced before him. Forensic evidence is the application of forensic science to trace elements and material evidence collected from crime scene and connected individuals to ascertain the perpetrator of a crime. While employing doctrinal methodology the work found that forensic evidence will bring the much-desired boost and credence in administration of criminal justice in sexual offences in Nigeria. Despite the challenges and criticisms of FE, it remains one of the surest ways of getting to near perfection in criminal justice administration where oral evidence and medical reports leave much to be desired.