The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the promulgation into law of the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act. The Amendment Act is a welcome intervention that will further capacitate the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Correctional Services to collect buccal samples (DNA or saliva cotton swabs) from persons currently serving sentences for serious criminal offences (Schedule 8 offences under the Criminal Procedures Act). Schedule 8 offences include murder, rape, serious assault, theft, kidnapping, and public violence amongst others.