Police to acquire DNA analysis machine

The police are to acquire a DNA analysis machine and a more efficient machine for the analysis of fingerprints, Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said in Parliament today.

He said this year had been an astounding year for the police force, which was proving to be more efficient and better equipped than ever before.

He said results had improved across the board, with a higher number of prosecutions. Among the results, were drug seizures this year for a record street value of €4.7 million, the third successive record in as many years.

He said that the crime rate was consistently on decline over the past years - dropping by 12 percent over the past five years and 17 percent in 10 years.

He said that new equipment acquired over the past year included new vehicles and motorcycles, radios for all constables, a digital photo law and new breathalyser machines. A new system for the computerisation of police records would also be acquired.

In his speech Dr Mifsud Bonnici spoke, among other things, on domestic violence. He said that while legislation was strong, the message of the powers which existed was not getting across to the lawyers and the courts, among others.