Using Forensics Data Analysis to Curb Recalcitrant High-rise Littering Culprits
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Tin Pei Ling’s inquiry into using forensic technologies like DNA analysis to identify recalcitrant high-rise littering culprits and curb such anti-social behavior. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M replied that DNA evidence proves contact but not the act of littering, though the Ministry is exploring its potential use. He highlighted that surveillance cameras have led to over 2,400 enforcement actions since 2012, with unit owners legally required to identify occupants when a specific unit is implicated. The Ministry continues to study how forensics can assist investigations given challenges like weather-exposed samples and the need for additional proof. The Government remains committed to utilizing practicable technology to secure convictions against high-rise litterbugs to maintain environmental cleanliness and public safety.
Transcript
101 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether forensics, such as DNA analysis, can be made use of to identify recalcitrant high-rise littering culprits so as to curb such highly anti-social behaviours.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: High-rise littering is an anti-social and serious offence that dirties the environment and poses safety hazards to the public.
Forensics, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis, may provide evidence that a person has had contact with a particular piece of litter thrown but this does not directly prove the act of littering. Further investigation would still be necessary to establish the identity of the high-rise littering culprit and prove that the person had, indeed, thrown the litter. It may also be challenging to extract DNA samples from litter that has been exposed to weather elements. Nonetheless, my Ministry is exploring the possibility of using DNA forensics in our enforcement against high-rise littering and will study if there are situations where such technology may be of use.
My Ministry has deployed surveillance cameras in areas with persistent high-rise littering to catch high-rise litterbugs in the act since 2012. When a particular unit from which items have been thrown has been identified, the owner of the unit will be compelled by law to furnish information on the identities of the occupants for our further investigation and necessary enforcement action. More than 2,400 enforcements have been taken against high-rise littering offenders since we started camera deployments in 2012.
The Government takes a serious view of high-rise littering. We will, as far as practicable, continue to adopt the necessary measures and technology to tackle high-rise littering to secure the conviction of high-rise litterbugs.