US forensic firm to aid Kenyan rape victims

[Guest guest]

US forensic firm to aid Kenyan rape victims

NAIROBI (AFP)

People walk past a poster bearing a message against rape in a street

of Nairobi, Kenya, in 2005. A US risk mitigation group said Monday it

will help Kenya to crack down on sexual offenders during recent

violence and reduce violence against women in the east African

nation.

A US risk mitigation group said Monday it will help Kenya to crack

down on sexual offenders during recent violence and reduce violence

against women in the east African nation.

New York-based GlobalOptions Group Inc. said its analysis wing, Bode

Technology, will provide forensic DNA services to the specialised

Nairobi Women's Hospital and a local firm to probe sexual abuse

during violence that followed the disputed December 27 elections.

Kenyan police estimate that at least 1,200 women were raped, but

women activists say the number could be higher since many victims did

not report.

Bode Technology will assist the two institutions " collect, catalog

and test the DNA samples (and) in the analysis of the cases

associated with known, suspected rapists, " GlobalOptions said in the

statement.

In addition, the firm has already provided DNA collection kits to

forensic experts in Kenya.

CSI Kenya, a local forensic firm, welcomed the partnership to probe

the crime that horrified the country.

" Bode Technology's DNA testing capability in this effort is critical.

This will provide the indisputable evidence necessary to convict

suspects and to help reduce these crimes against women from happening

in the future, " said CSI Kenya chief Kinyanjui Murigi.

Bode Technology chief Safir said the effectiveness of the DNA

technology will help reduce incidents of sexual abuse.

" The collection and testing of DNA samples during a time of active

conflict is a marked advancement in the use of DNA testing and has

the potential of deterring future violence, " added Safir, also a

former New York City police commissioner.

" It's extremely rewarding to use our DNA analysis capabilities to

help the people of Kenya have a more secure future and to provide an

avenue to address past crimes, " said Ed Huffine, Bode Technology Vice

President for Humanitarian Services and International Development.

Lack of forensic technology has been blamed for police's shoddy

investigation that often results in poor prosecutions and eventual

freedom for rapists.

In addition to rape, tribal fighting and revenge killings claimed at

least 1,500 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people,

mainly in the capital's slums and western region.

President Mwai Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila

Odinga last month clinched a power-sharing accord that halted

violence.

http://www.citizen.co.za/index/Article.aspx?

pDesc=1,1,22 & Type=top & File=080331185024.yf39lssp.xml

--- End forwarded message ---

[Guest guest]

US forensic firm to aid Kenyan rape victims

NAIROBI (AFP)

People walk past a poster bearing a message against rape in a street

of Nairobi, Kenya, in 2005. A US risk mitigation group said Monday it

will help Kenya to crack down on sexual offenders during recent

violence and reduce violence against women in the east African

nation.

A US risk mitigation group said Monday it will help Kenya to crack

down on sexual offenders during recent violence and reduce violence

against women in the east African nation.

New York-based GlobalOptions Group Inc. said its analysis wing, Bode

Technology, will provide forensic DNA services to the specialised

Nairobi Women's Hospital and a local firm to probe sexual abuse

during violence that followed the disputed December 27 elections.

Kenyan police estimate that at least 1,200 women were raped, but

women activists say the number could be higher since many victims did

not report.

Bode Technology will assist the two institutions " collect, catalog

and test the DNA samples (and) in the analysis of the cases

associated with known, suspected rapists, " GlobalOptions said in the

statement.

In addition, the firm has already provided DNA collection kits to

forensic experts in Kenya.

CSI Kenya, a local forensic firm, welcomed the partnership to probe

the crime that horrified the country.

" Bode Technology's DNA testing capability in this effort is critical.

This will provide the indisputable evidence necessary to convict

suspects and to help reduce these crimes against women from happening

in the future, " said CSI Kenya chief Kinyanjui Murigi.

Bode Technology chief Safir said the effectiveness of the DNA

technology will help reduce incidents of sexual abuse.

" The collection and testing of DNA samples during a time of active

conflict is a marked advancement in the use of DNA testing and has

the potential of deterring future violence, " added Safir, also a

former New York City police commissioner.

" It's extremely rewarding to use our DNA analysis capabilities to

help the people of Kenya have a more secure future and to provide an

avenue to address past crimes, " said Ed Huffine, Bode Technology Vice

President for Humanitarian Services and International Development.

Lack of forensic technology has been blamed for police's shoddy

investigation that often results in poor prosecutions and eventual

freedom for rapists.

In addition to rape, tribal fighting and revenge killings claimed at

least 1,500 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people,

mainly in the capital's slums and western region.

President Mwai Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila

Odinga last month clinched a power-sharing accord that halted

violence.

http://www.citizen.co.za/index/Article.aspx?

pDesc=1,1,22 & Type=top & File=080331185024.yf39lssp.xml

--- End forwarded message ---