South Africa’s Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) are facing a severe operational crisis marked by extensive DNA backlogs, lapses in mandatory medical surveillance for analysts, and concerns over equipment maintenance and processing capacity. These failures undermine the integrity of criminal investigations, particularly in cases involving rape, murder, gender based violence, and serial offenders. Effective forensic science management requires strict quality control, adequate staffing, proper training, and regular on site inspections by senior officers—yet these inspections appear inconsistent or absent. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) recent alarm highlights the urgent need for decisive intervention by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to restore full laboratory functionality, protect analysts, and ensure timely justice for victims. This article examines the systemic weaknesses contributing to the crisis and outlines the critical questions SAPS must answer to rebuild public trust in forensic processes.