2009 September | DNA Project

Archive for September, 2009

Crime Statistics 2008/9: Minister of Police briefing

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Minister of Police, Mr Nkosinathi Mthethwa, reported that the important category of contact crime accounted for 32.7% of all crimes. He pointed out the increases in robbery with aggravated circumstances, sexual offences, stock theft and commercial crime. Under aggravated robberies, he referred specifically to the trio crimes of business and house robberies and hijackings. The highest increase was recorded in business robberies – this had increased by 41.5% when compared to 2007/8. Sexual offences increased by 10.1%. This increase could, in part be attributed to changes in the legislation. Under the new Sexual Offences Act, a number of new categories of crime were now included. The first proper comparison would only be possible at the end of next year. The increase of 2.7% in stock theft was a matter of serious concern. Commercial crime increased by 16%. During this period murder declined by 3.4% and attempted murder by 4.3%. Common assault declined by 4.3% and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) by 4.7%. Street robberies declined by 7.4% and common robberies by 8.9%. The number of bank robberies declined by 29.2%. ATM attacks (not listed as a specific category in the crime statistics) also declined by 10%. The Minister briefly reviewed the planned measures to reduce crime levels.

Dr Chris De Kock, Deputy National Commissioner: South African Police Service, briefed the media on the more technical aspects of the crime statistics looking at the weighting of different crime categories, contact crime, the social nature of murders in South Africa and the influence of the Sexual Offences Act on the increased number of sexual offences. He emphasised that the increases or decreases were based on ratios and that this was necessary to make the statistics internationally comparable. He also explained the statistics on street robberies, residential robberies, trio crime (business robberies, house robberies and hijackings) and ATM bombings.

Read more by clicking on the following link: http://www.pmg.org.za/briefing/20090922-crime-statistics-20089-minister-police-briefing

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SHOOTING OUR DNA AWARENESS DVD

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Last week was dedicated to the shooting of our DNA Awareness DVD. It was the first time that I have been part of a real ‘live’ shoot and having survived to tell the tale, I must admit that I have a new respect for all those people involved in productions. The producer/director, cast and crew were phenomenal, and despite the long and grueling hours it required, I never heard a single complaint nor did I witness any flux in their commitment or professionalism. It was a fascinating process and quite amazing to see how many ‘takes’ it literally takes to produce only a few seconds of viewing on a DVD. The most I could do to help, was provide an ongoing stream of food and drink to the hungry cast and crew! As we were on such a tight budget, I decided to do all the catering myself and laughed out loud when one of the actors sat back after lunch, complimented the meal and turned to me and asked if I was the caterer – Yes, I replied, and the client too! He nearly choked on his last morsel of food, as I do not think many clients’ wait on their cast and crew when filming a production!

Sophia Dewberry of Straightshooting Productions reviewing the script.

Sophia Dewberry of Straightshooting Productions was the genius behind the production. I have yet to see a more focused & talented person at work. When the first day of shooting was nowhere near halfway complete by 10pm, there was still no sign of her letting up. The cast and crew followed suit, and wrapped up the first day of shooting at 2am the following morning…. The performances of the actors and actresses were strong and convincing, and I have no doubt that the final product will reflect this too.

The following day all cast and crew were up and at it, showing no signs of fatigue from the night before. I particularly loved the performance of the ‘corpse’ who had to play dead in the hijack/murder scene. He lay there, prostate, unmoving and looking very convincingly dead for hours on end, all under the glaring hot sun!

Applying make up to our 'hijack victim'

Fortunately, the second day wrapped up at the more reasonable hour of 6pm and we bade farewell to the acting cast , as they had completed their work.

The final day of shooting was left for interviewing the forensic expert, Peta Daviditsz, who gave of her time & expertise freely to the project; genetic scientist & co-director of the DNA Project, Dr Carolyn Hancock, who flew down to watch the action, as well as myself. Being behind the camera has challenges of its own, but after many takes, I think we managed in the end!

As some of you may be aware, the reason we are producing this DNA Awareness Training DVD is to provide critical crime scene awareness training throughout certain sectors of the community as well as the general public. The training DVD, once complete, will contain basic information about DNA profiling and the value of DNA evidence, how to contain a crime scene as well as information about the National DNA Database and current legislation which seeks to regulate this area of the law. This information will be of benefit to all first responding crime scene personnel, whatever their role or rank, paramedics, security guarding services and community police forums, as it will enable them to understand the importance of containing a crime scene so that the forensic experts may use DNA profiling to provide intelligence and corroborative evidence in crime investigation.

The cast and crew

The DNA Awareness DVD has been made possible through the generous donations of the Hancock Family Trusts as well as the Open Society Foundation of SA. Moreover, the camera equipment supplied by Visual Impact, was given to the production at 90% discount, without which we would not have made the very tight budget within which we had to work. Every person who participated in the filming of this production has given of their time and services at either reduced rates, or at no cost at all, but all with unfailing commitment to the purpose of the project. Without this type of generosity, this DVD would not have been possible and we thank each and every person and company for their contribution, however big or small.

Forensic Scientist, Peta Davidtz illustrates how evidence is prepared for DNA processing

Forensic Scientist, Peta Davidtsz illustrates how evidence is prepared for DNA processing

The DVD is now in the process of being edited and we hope to have the final product complete by the end of October 2009. We then have the onerous task of ensuring that this information is disseminated as widely as possible to ensure that valuable DNA evidence being left at crime scenes, is properly contained and preserved for collection by the crime scene investigators. So, keep an eye on our website when we announce our roll out plan.

Until then, remember, your actions when arriving at a crime scene, do matter: ‘DNA CSI‘:

D – DON’T TOUCH

N – NOTE, RECORD, OBSERVE

A – ASSIST OTHER OFFICERS WHERE NECESSARY

C – COMFORT & AID THOSE IN NEED OF SUPPORT

S – SECURE THE SCENE

I – INSIST THAT NO-ONE INTERFERES WITH THE CRIME SCENE.

Vanessa.

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Changing lives in Bloemfontein!

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

I am writing this blog en route from Bloemfontein – ‘why Bloemfontein?’ you may ask. Why indeed! In the last 24 hours I have visited the Free State University, been part of the most dynamic group of people who are literally changing peoples lives in SA and twisted the ear off a Member of Parliament who assures me that our DNA Bill will be passed by March 2010!

My first stop after arriving in ‘Bloem’ at lunchtime yesterday was the Free State University, where the first Forensic Honours Degree will be launched in 2010. Myself and my co-director, Dr Carolyn Hancock, met with the Head of the Genetics Dept. as well as the Dean. Not only do they have the vision of where the future of DNA Forensic lies in this country, but they have the

Students at work at the UFS Genetics Dept.

passion with which to do it. The Dean asked not only what they can do to provide the first set of students with all that they need to become the first and best group of students to obtain this Honours degree, but more importantly, what can they do to ensure that one day they have an entire building that hosts a variety of forensic specialities which will become the centre of excellence in SA for this type of training. This is one of the many reasons we support the UFS in their bid to host this degree – their passion, their commitment and their vision. The DNA Project’s efforts to ensure that the placement of millions of rands worth of forensic analyst equipment will be installed at the first institution offering this degree, for use by the students next year, will accordingly be extended to the UFS. The DNA Project will also assist with funding a lecturer position at the UFS for one year to ensure the maximum intake of students . The course material the DNA Project have funded will be given at no charge to the UFS (and any other institution wishing to offer this degree), for use in their Honours course and the P.U.B. (see www.pub.org.za - a division of the Dept. of Science & Technology) have offered to launch this new and exciting degree next year. Applications for entry into this degree close on the 9 October, so if this is something you have always wanted to do, now is your chance — but be warned, they are only taking the top students, as already the course is over-scribed…[email Prof. Spies for further details SpiesJJ.SCI@ufs.ac.za ]

CEO of Computershare, Stan Lorge, thanking the Change a Life Cycle support team

Carolyn and myself left the UFS feeling buoyant. All the hard work that has been put into developing this degree and all the trust put into us by our sponsors, has been converted into a tangible reality. We will be seeing the first specialist forensic analysts graduating at the end of 2010, and we know, that this is only the beginning…
From the UFS we headed off to welcome back the cyclists who had just completed the 2009 Change a Life Cycle “Mystery Tour”. This group of cyclists, led by its one in a million, tour director, Ursula du Plooy arrived en masse with all their support staff, and of course, the most humble of men, Computershare CEO, Stan Lorge. Stan calls himself the ‘hanger on’. But in fact the truth is that this man is the hope to which we all hang! Stan, together with Ursula, have succeeded in changing the lives of so many through their commitment to the Change a Life Trust, which makes my passion to the DNA Project look feeble. The camaraderie that was apparent at the Gala Dinner held last night was palpable; the energy was extreme. Coupled with an extravaganza of an evening, hosted by Southern Sun, which had the likes of PJ Powers lighting up the stage with old classics such as Shosholoza, and Barry Hilton cracking up the audience, it was an honour and privilege to be part of such an exceptional group of people. At dinner, I sat next to Paul Conn who is the president of the Computershare Global Capital Markets Group, and is based in New York. Paul had just ridden the cycle race. It was his first time visit to SA, and despite his extensive travels throughout the world, he was delighted to be in Bloemfontein and part of this tour. His generosity to the Change a Life Trust has been extraordinary, and to boot, he purchased the 11 remaining raffle tickets on the night, at R500 a piece without a second thought. Paul kindly offered me one of those raffle tickets to gain free entry into the Cycle Race next year, which sadly I didn’t win! I will have to start looking for a willing sponsor, so that next year, I too can take part in the race and not just welcome the brave home!

Stan Lorge & Ursula du Plooy with Miss SA, Tatum Keshwar at the Change a Life Gala Dinner held in Bloemfontein last night

I think the words of Russell Loubser, CEO of JSE were particularly moving — he struck a cord deep within us all and reminded us all to stay close to the reason we all partake in one way or another in the Change a Life Cycle race — he challenged us all to make this an event that will last for another 20 years and that we all stay committed to the reason that we want to be a part of this life changing annual event. From my side, my gratitude towards the sponsors of this race is difficult to put into words. The support the DNA Project receives from the Change a Life Trust is overwhelming. We take this responsibility very seriously and hope that all the cyclists and their support team recognise that the DNA Project’s objectives are being achieved as a result of every turn of the wheel they generate.

Vanessa Lynch, PJ Powers & Carolyn Hancock at the Change a Life Cycle Gala Dinner

Looking back to this time last year, we have managed to assist with the draftimg of new DNA legislation, have it introduced into Parliament where it is currently being reviewed, produce a DNA awareness training DVD to educate first on crime scene responding officers, security guards and paramedics on how to preserve and contain critical DNA evidence and develop the course material for the first in Africa, let alone SA, Forensic Honours Degree. Next year, we not only hope to have the legislation in place, but would like to see it being implemented and to be able to stand in front of all of you and show you the profiles of the first convicted offenders’ dna profiles on the National DNA Database…

To end off my whirlwind 24 hours in Bloemfontein, I sat down in the aeroplane to return to Cape Town this morning, and happened to be sitting next to Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Maggie Sotyu! Ms Sotyu was the Chair of the previous ad hoc Portfolio Committee tasked with reviewing the DNA Bill in the first quarter of 2009. That ad hoc Committee has now been replaced by a new Committee following the April 2009 elections and newly elected MP’s, but I succeeded in twisting Ms Sotyu’s ear for the better part of the flight and the good news is that she is confident that the DNA Bill has been given priority and she sees it being finalised between now and the close of Parliament in March 2010. More importantly, the issues that were raised n the last review process, she feels have been for the most part addressed and she believes that the next review will not be as complicated as the last. I take this chance meeting as a good sign and an indication that whilst we still have a huge amount of work to do, we have in fact come quite far together in our race — which is the race against crime in SA. If the passion I witnessed last night, continues to burn, I know that together, we can do this and take back from the small minority in this country, what is rightfully ours — our right to feel free & safe in our own country.

The safety belt lights have come on, and we are ready to land. Cape Town may be the Mother City, but Bloemfontein is where it’s at!
Vanessa.

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Change a Life 2009 Cycle Tour Launched

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

The Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust launched its 2009 “Mystery Cycle” Tour in Johannesburg last week. Directors of the The DNA Project, Vanessa Lynch, Carolyn Hancock and Allan Thomson were there to show the cyclists who support the event, what the DNA Project has been up to since the last cycle tour in 2009.

Dr Carolyn Hancock being interviewed by Super Sport 1

The evening was a glittering event and a roaring success! 145 cyclists, sponsors, sporting greats and guests gathered at Tracker Headquarters in Darrenwood, JHB to enjoy the unique camaraderie that has become the hallmark of the Change a Life Cycle Challenge.

Guests were treated to a model show and the first glimpse of this year’s cycle kit. IML’s silent auction had entrants bidding for Rovos Rail luxury suites – raising more funds for the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust, which is one of the DNA Project’s biggest supporters.

The Cycle Tour begins tomorrow and will end at a mystery destination on Monday, 15th September 2009.

: The DNA Project Display Stand at the Change a Life Cycle Tour launch in JHB

: Gerald de Kock of Super Sport raises the stakes at the launch of the Change a Life Cycle race

: Stan Lorge, CEO of Computershare thanks the cyclists for their support of the Change a Life Trust

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The DNA Bill is back!

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Parliament, 2 September 2009: the Speaker of the National Assembly has referred the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill to the to the Portfolio Committee on Police for consideration and report, the committee to confer with the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.

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