DNA Analysis in Criminal Investigations in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Background: In recent years, Burkina Faso has faced increasing insecurity and terrorist attacks. The police, gendarmerie, and justice services are very often in demand to carry out criminal investigations, which are slowed down or incomplete due to the absence of DNA analysis on biological samples from crime scenes and on apprehended suspects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of DNA analysis to the resolution of criminal cases in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This study was carried out from June 2019 to July 2020. Three (03) crimes were investigated, and DNA analysis was performed on biological samples from the crime scene, suspects, and victims using the AmpFlSTR® identifiler® Direct kit on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Results: In the explosion case, the alleles found in the victim were the same as those identified in the blood trace from the crime scene. In the armed robbery case, there was a perfect match between the DNA profile of the blood trail and that of suspect 2 for all 15 STRs analyzed. In the murder case, the DNA profile of the murdered man’s son and the DNA profile of the biological trace were identical. Conclusion: The DNA analyses carried out in criminal cases have identified the perpetrators of the crimes. Their guilt or innocence will be confirmed by the investigators during the interrogations and hearings.