Vanessa — DNA Project

Author Archive

Tue, Aug 30th, 2011

When a loved one is murdered, you want change more than just allowing that person to become another number in a country where 50 people are added to the murder statistics every single day. This is exactly what the family and colleagues of Mike Thomson did not want, and have allowed his name to become a beacon of hope in South Africa by naming the Change a Life Mike Thomson Trust after him. In 2007, Mike Thomson who was a husband, father of two and manager of Computershare, was brutally murdered in his home. Although the men have been arrested, there has been no justice for the family yet, however the family is still fighting.

One of the ways the Change a Life Mike Thomson Trust is fighting, is by raising money to quite literally change the lives of people in South Africa who are effected by crime. The main fundraiser is the annual Change a Life cycle , which has raised approximately R3 million every year since the inaugural cycle which took place in 2008. In 2008, 81 senior company executives took part in a grueling 450Km cycle ride through 4 southern African countries while cycling along the Zambezi river. The 2009 Cycle event took on a different style with a mystery tour, where the 62 participants knew nothing about where they were racing apart from being based on the luxury Rovos Rail train. The cyclists ended up riding through the quiet, remote roads of the Northern Cape before being whisked away on the train to their next destination which was the Southern Free State. Last year’s cycle took place through Malawi where the 69 cyclists managed to raise R3.5 million. After the brilliant success of the first cycle tour, it has become an annual event which raises more and more funds for the Change a Life Mike Thomson Trust and its various projects which are aimed at alleviating crime in South Africa.

This years cycle race will see 70 executive cyclists riding the 530km route through Namibia from the 2nd to the 7th September. The tour will visit quaint towns, explore deserted beaches and towering sand dunes, and will party under star-studded skies. Along the way there will be thrills and spills, exhaustion and exhilaration and long-lasting friendships made. This year the fee was R27 000 for each cyclist and thanks to the race sponsors, the entire fee will go straight to the Trust, with Computershare once again matching the race fee donations rand for rand. We have no doubt that this years cycle looks to be as much, if not more of a resounding success than previous years.

With the DNA Project as one of the beneficiary’s of this incredible event, we throw our full support behind this extremely worthwhile race, which quite literally Changes Lives in South Africa.

GOOD LUCK to all the riders!

Vanessa & The DNA Project Team

Posted in DNA Project | 1 Comment »

CSI: Reality vs Fiction

Mon, Aug 22nd, 2011

We have all seen some form of those crime television programs, whether it’s CSI, NCIS or some other program with an arm length acronym. They all seem to follow the same cookie cut scenarios: a crime is committed, the overly good looking CSI guys arrive and collect the smallest traces of physical evidence which no human would be able to find without super-vision. Then they race back to their state of the art labs where they instantly identify exactly who committed the crime, rush off to arrest the suspects and deliver a clever line about how could they think they would get away with the crime. Although these shows are extremely interesting and most of the techniques are accurate, the time frame is often enormously exaggerated. For example, in my lab we enjoyed watching this clip from CSI where what took them 60 seconds, would take us an entire day, not to say we were lazy and took our time, if they were to show the entire process it would be extremely boring and the show would lose all suspense.

So although CSI is based on accurate information, it is largely a fictional program. It would be illogical to have someone like Horatio Caine working on a case from beginning to end, if the criminals knew who is working with a sample which could alter the verdict of their sentence, they would try their upmost to influence or threaten that person. So in reality, the forensic analyst works with anonymous samples so there is no bias or chance of influencing the results.

Another interesting byproduct of these shows is a new psychological effect, called the ‘CSI effect’ named after the original crime scene program but all of these crime scene programs adds to the effect.

You would think this ‘CSI effect’ would not have any real world ramifications, however, the effects are being felt in America courtrooms where they use a panel of their peers to decide the verdict of a criminal case. During jury selections, potential jurors are now being asked whether they are avid watchers of CSI related TV shows as these people may have unrealistic expectations in certain cases. They expect to have some form of DNA or physical evidence linking the criminal to the crime scene everytime and without it they are less likely to find the defendant guilty, as well as they jury have a higher conviction rate if DNA evidence is available. With jurors heard to complain that “they didn’t even dust for fingerprints on the lawn”, the level of unrealistic expectations has increased.

A paper was published in the journal, National Institute of Justice, where they looked at this CSI effect. The survey indicated jurors that, 46 % they expected some kind of scientific evidence in every criminal case, 22% expected some kind of DNA evidence, 36 % expected fingerprint evidence, and 32% expected some kind of ballistic or firearm lab evidence. However, contrary to the expectations of the study, jurors were more likely to find a defendant guilty than not guilty even without scientific evidence if the victim or other witnesses testified, except in the case of rape. So although crime scene TV shows caused jurors to have higher expectations for scientific evidence than there non-watching counterparts, these expectations had little effect on the jurors propensity to convict.

Although there is anecdotal evidence that this ‘CSI Effect’ which has increased the layman’s knowledge of these scientific practices exists, there does not seem to be any real world influence, at least in the case of jurors.

Anyone who watches these programs will say they are extremely interesting, whether they are skeptical or believe every part of the show is a different story. In South Africa where crime seems to be a pastime, it is sweet respite to be able to watch these guys on TV find and arrest criminals using physical evidence, whether its ballistics or DNA evidence, hoping that these techniques are being used to catch our criminals here.

Grant

This week’s blog entry was written and compiled by Grant Godsmark, a Genetic Hons student who works with The DNA Project and conducts DNA Awareness Training in the KZN Region. Read more about Grant here

Grant Godsmark

Tags: csi, dna, forensic, forensic analyst, laboratory, ncis
Posted in DNA Project | Comments Off on CSI: Reality vs Fiction

What is the Portfolio Committee going to do next?

Wed, Aug 17th, 2011

Mrs Chikunga Sindisiwe - Chairperson of the tour

With approximately 50 murders, 200 woman and children raped and 550 cases of assault everyday in South Africa, why are we still not using the most powerful weapon in modern day crime investigations? DNA. Whilst it may not be the silver bullet, it is without question the strongest form of evidence available today.

So – with the return of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Police from their fact-finding mission to Canada and the UK, what are these ordinary people, who now wield the power to change SA for the better and finally pass the DNA Bill going to do next?

To recap their trip, they left for Canada on the 24 June 2011 where they looked at the Royal Canadians Mounted Polices’ Forensic laboratory and fingerprinting department. They also met up with the Canadian public prosecutors and parliamentarians. From there they went on to the UK which has one of the largest DNA databases in the world, with over 5 million or 8% of their population on the database. In the UK, between 01 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, their national DNA database has produced 106 matches to murder, 588 to rapes, and 29 959 to other crimes, with over 300 000 crimes being detected using the database since 1998. After visiting the UK labs, the committee were briefed on crime scene management and met up with the state agencies involved in implementing their own DNA Bill.

Upon returning to South Africa on the 11th July 2011, after their 18 day ‘study tour’ we are waiting to hear whether they have learnt anything new and whether they have realised how important it is to regulate this area of the justice system.

We have heard from various sources that the portfolio committee should reconvene in September with a view to finalising this Bill for once and for all. We therefore wait for the final report on their fact finding mission, which we have been told will be published at the end of August. We have written to the Committee Chairperson, the secretary of the Committee, the Parliamentary Researcher and a Committee member asking for any one of them to confirm when they will publish their report and when they intend to reconvene. We shall inform you as soon as we hear anything from anyone.

What do we think will happen? Judging from feedback from different people who either presented to the Committee or accompanied the Committee on their tour we think we may see the committee taking a slightly more conservative approach with possibly only criminals with serious convictions placed on the database. We expect that they would then also have to clarify a retention framework allowing those DNA profiles which do not result in a conviction to be removed after a certain amount of time if that person has not re-offended. The length of the retention framework may then be dependent on the seriousness of the crime committed.

Alan Matthews, formerly of the FSS (UK) who presented to the Committee whilst in the UK

Perhaps they may look to the DNA profile retention policy in Scotland which follows the basic rule that DNA samples and profiles of persons arrested but not convicted must be destroyed, but where the person is arrested for serious sexual or violence offences, they can be retained for three years, with the possibility of extension for another two years.

An interesting case which needs to be remembered where retention of DNA profiles in non-convicted cases is involved, is the case of Wendell Wilberforce Baker. On January 23, 1997, a 66-year old spinster was raped in the early hours of the morning. She was locked in a cramped cupboard for 15 hours before someone found her. She was taken to hospital where semen samples were collected and the DNA profile was placed onto the DNA database. As the database was still in its infancy (established 2 years previously) there was no match. About a year later, Wendell Baker was arrested for burglary of which he was later acquitted. A DNA profile was taken and compared against the national DNA database after his release, his profile matched that of the rapist that attacked 66-year old spinster a year earlier. Due to legislation saying his profile should have been deleted after his acquittal he could not be tried for the rape, and to this day is still a free man even though his DNA profile matched that of the rapist in January 1997. It is unfortunate that a caveat in the law allowed a rapist be released back into society for a crime that DNA profiling showed he committed.

Luckily the above case is only the exception, here are a couple cases in the UK where DNA evidence was used successfully. In May 2011 John Cooper was convicted of the 1985 murder of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas and Oxfordshire couple Peter and Gwenda Dixon in 1989 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also convicted of separate charges of rape, sexual assault and attempted robbery. The two sets of murders gave rise to much speculation, however the case remained unsolved until John Cooper was arrested in 2009. In December 1985 John Cooper killed Helen Thomas and her brother Richard during a break in at their remote mansion near Milford Haven. Police believe that he had been disturbed by Mr Thomas, turning his shotgun on the couple before pouring diesel around the three-storey farmhouse in an attempt to destroy the evidence. Four years later Peter and Gwenda Dixon encountered John Cooper as they walked along the Pembrokeshire Costal Path at Little Haven. John Cooper took the couple to an improvised hideaway where he shot them at point blank range. The break through came when Dyfed-Powys Police launched a review in 2006 of material gathered during a 1998 investigation that had led to John Cooper being jailed for 16 years for a string of burglaries. Tests uncovered new forensic evidence, a blood speck on a shotgun belonging to John Cooper and DNA on a pair of shorts – linking him to the murder of Peter and Gwenda Dixon.

In 1988 James Robertson attacked and raped a young woman in Canterbury, Kent. James Robertson had intervened as the victim argued with some people in the city centre, he then offered her a lift home. The victim quickly realised that James Robertson meant to attack her after he ignored her directions and drove her to a secluded wooded area near the city where he raped her before dumping her near her home. At the time of the rape James Robertson was on licence from prison after serving 11 years for kicking a man to death in Scotland. After the attack James Robertson moved to Preston where in 2001 he attacked a man he knew in a city centre restaurant with an axe. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment in September 2002 and released four years later. As a result of the axe attack police had a James Robertson’s DNA profile and in 2009 it was found to be a match to sample collected from the 1988 rape. In May 2011 James Robertson was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

We shall be sure to publish the Committee report as soon as we have received it. It is after all a public document and their 18 day trip was at our (the taxpayers) expense so transparency is the very least that can be expected!

Portfolio Committee Member Dianne Kohler-Barnard who went on the 'study tour' commented that the Committee do recognise, following the tour, that 'legislation is required in SA' to regulate a National DNA Database

Vanessa.

Posted in DNA Project | 1 Comment »

Groundbreaking New Training Program Developed

Mon, Aug 15th, 2011

DNA Project Team

Members of the DNA Project gathered together in Cape Town last month for the 2^nd Annual DNA Project’s Trainers Workshop. The objective of this year’s workshop was to critically assess the DNA Awareness Campaign we have been running for the past year to identify whether any changes or improvements needed to be made to the programme, based on the field experience of our Trainers who have been hosting workshops throughout South Africa.

The second and more exciting reason for the gathering was to ‘brainstorm’ around the development of the innovative new ‘Train the Trainer’ program which the DNA Project wants to initiate as phase two of its DNA Awareness Campaign.

Currently, the way in which we have been disseminating DNA Awareness to the private security sector, guarding services, emergency services, community police forums, the justice system and general public, has been through directly contacting these sectors of the community and offering to host free DNA Awareness workshops at their respective premises. We believe, however, that a more effective approach to ensure DNA Awareness training would be to introduce DNA Awareness training at Trainer level, which enables those organisations which conduct their own training to provide ongoing DNA Awareness training at their premises at their own convenience. We believe that by including DNA Awareness training as part of their basic crime scene management training, it will ensure that they are comprehensively taught about the value of crime scene preservation. In addition, no matter what the turnover of staff is within a company, each new employee will automatically receive DNA Awareness training at entry level. By creating DNA Awareness as an industry standard, these sectors of the community will be able to offer this as an added value service to their existing protocols.

In other words, instead of ‘fishing’ for the community we would like to teach these sectors how to ‘fish for themselves’.

How will a Train the Trainer workshop differ from our basic DNA Awareness Workshop we currently offer?

The Train the Trainer workshop will consist of a full day’s training, whereby an instructor from the DNA Project will impart the basics of the science behind DNA forensics and crime scene preservation. These Train the Trainer workshops, as with the DNA Awareness workshops, will be sponsored by the DNA Project and thus will be free of charge.

Course Outline

A simple summary of DNA, the techniques of DNA profiling and the benefits of a National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database in crime investigation.
The responsibilities of the First Officer attending the crime scene with potential DNA evidence will be covered.
The Trainers will be taught how to identify the potential sources, locations and limitations of DNA evidence so that they can pass on this valuable information to Trainees during crime scene training.
An overview of the correct handling and packaging of samples from crime scenes, suspects and complainants and who should be doing what.
Trainees will be provided with information relating to the legislation that regulates the use of DNA as an evidential tool.
The Trainees will briefed as to what actually happens in a South African Forensic Lab and how much of “CSI” is fact and what is fiction.
The central message of our DNA Awareness Campaign will be covered, and the reasons why these six steps are so important will be explored , namely:

“DNA CSI”

D = DON’T TOUCH

N= NOTE & RECORD

A = ASSIST OTHER OFFICERS

C = COMFORT & SUPPORT VICTIMS

S = SECURE THE CRIME SCENE

I = INSIST NO-ONE INTERFERES

For more information, or if you interested in attending a Train the Trainer workshop or DNA Awareness workshop, please contact Maya Moodley at the DNA Project on maya@dnaproject.co.za or tel (021) 418 0647.

Tags: conference, crime scene preservation, dna, dna awareness, DNA Project, forensic, train the trainer
Posted in DNA Project, Forensic Career, Latest News, Legislation, Newsletter | Comments Off on Groundbreaking New Training Program Developed

Exciting New Job Opportunities being offered at Forensic Science Labs throughout SA

Wed, Aug 10th, 2011

We are very excited to report that the Forensic Science Laboratory is currently looking for forensic analysts to fill over 150 new posts throughout SA. There are posts being offered in the Biology (DNA) Unit, Chemistry Unit as well as in Ballistics.
The generic minimum requirements applicable to all posts are as follows:

• Competence in the post-specific core functions of the advertised post

• Senior Certificate (Grade 12) and a relevant degree or diploma applicable to the specific post (NQF6), as specified below at each post

• Computer literate

• Valid motor vehicle driver’s licence is an advantage

• Fluent in at least two of the official languages, of which one must be English

• The posts are appointments in terms of the South African Police Service Act of 1995

• Recommended applicants will be subjected to a medical examination, before the appointment will be finally approved

• All successful candidates will undergo basic Police training and relevant specialised training in the field of application for a period that will be determined by the National Commissioner

• All applicants will be subjected to a vetting and relevant screening process

• Successful applicants may, upon appointment and completion of their training, be expected from time to time depending on the needs of the organisation to work flexi hours or shifts in the execution of their duties.

The closing date for applications is the 19 August 2011. Please also take note of the ***Important General Information posted below. If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in applying for a post at the FSL, please pass on this information.

Below please find details of the posts being offered or click here to view the original job advertisement.:

Forensic Science Laboratory
Forensic Analysts – DNA (Biology Unit) (76 Posts)
Western Cape (35 posts) (Ref. FS 155/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal (13 posts) (Ref. FS156/2011) • Pretoria (16) (Ref. FS 157/2011) • Eastern Cape (12 posts) (Ref. FS158/2011)

Section: Biology Component: Forensic Science Laboratory

Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Analyse biological material up to the level of evidence processing or analysis of DNA results • Submit reports regarding analysis performed • Present expert testimony in court.
Additional requirements: Degree/National Diploma in the Natural Sciences majoring in one or more of the following: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biotechnology, Medical Science/Technology, Molecular Biology and Physiology.

Forensic Analysts – Chemistry Unit (18 Posts)
Western Cape (8) (Ref. FS159/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal (2) (Ref. FS160/2011) • Pretoria (6) (Ref. FS161/2011) • Eastern Cape (2) (Ref.FS162/2011)

Section: Chemistry Sub-section: Drugs/Toxicology Component: Forensic Science Laboratory

Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Examine exhibit material of drug-related cases and toxicology cases, including the issuing of reports on relevant findings • Render expert evidence in court • Maintain the FSL Quality • Management System • Maintain instrumentation • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: BSc degree (majors: Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Organic Chemistry/Applied Chemistry/Pure and Applied Chemistry), or a National Diploma • BTech in Analytical Chemistry.
Forensic Analysts – Chemistry Unit (17 Posts)
Western Cape (5) (Ref. FS163/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal (4) (Ref. FS164/2011) • Pretoria (6) (Ref. FS 165/2011) • Eastern Cape (2) (Ref. FS166 /2011)

Section: Chemistry Sub-section: Fire Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Perform forensic crime scene investigations, mainly fire scene investigation and forensic analysis of exhibit material, including the issuing of reports on relevant findings • Render expert evidence in court • Maintain the FSL Quality Management System • Maintain instrumentation • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: BSc degree (majors: Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Organic Chemistry/Applied Chemistry/Pure and Applied Chemistry), or a National Diploma • BTech in Analytical Chemistry.
Assistant Engineers – Ballistics (6 Posts)
Western Cape (2) (Ref. FS167 /2011) • Pretoria (4) (Ref. FS168 /2011) Section: Ballistics Sub-section: Mechanical Engineering Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Render an effective and efficient mechanical and metallurgical engineering examination service to all investigators of crime • Administer the engineering case file assigned to the forensic analyst • Investigate crime scenes • Present testimony in court • Perform failure analysis on metallurgical samples • Investigate vehicle accidents • Support engineering investigations into vehicle theft crimes.
Additional requirements: BEng: Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering or National Diploma/B Tech in Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering • Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa would be an added advantage.

Forensic Analysts – Ballistics (10 Posts)
Western Cape (3) (Ref. FS169/2011) • Pretoria (3) (Ref. FS 170/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal (4) (Ref. FS171/2011) Section: Ballistics Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Examine ballistic-related cases, including identification and analysis of firearms, tool mark analysis, bite mark analysis, wound ballistics and the establishment of the IBIS database • Investigate and reconstruct ballistic-related crime scenes • Submit reports regarding analyses performed • Present expert testimony in court • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: Degree/National Diploma majoring in one or more of the following: Forensic Investigation/Science, Criminalistics, Police Science, Armourer, Criminology, Police Administration, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Law of Evidence, Medical Technology, Medical Science, Physics, Chemistry – Analytical/Pure and Applied, Computer Science, Mathematical Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Metallurgy.

Forensic Analysts – Questioned Documents (10 Posts)
Western Cape (2) (Ref. FS172/2011) • Pretoria (2) (Ref. FS173 /2011) • KwaZulu-Natal (3) (Ref. FS174 /2011) • Eastern Cape (3) (Ref. FS 175/2011) Section: Questioned Documents Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Examine questioned document cases, including ink analysis, handwriting analysis, bank notes, identification and travel documentation as well as credit card analysis. • Establishment of questioned documents database. • Conduct questioned documents-related research. • Present expert testimony in court • Submit reports regarding analysis performed • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: National Diploma majoring in one or more of the following: Policing, Police Administration, Police Science • BA/BIuries/BProc/LLB or diploma in Chemistry • BA or BA (Hons) specialising in Criminology.

Forensic Analysts – Scientific Analysis (2 Posts)
Pretoria (Image) Section: Scientific Analysis Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum (Ref. FS176/2011)
Core functions: Conduct forensic analysis of CCTV material • Present testimony in court • Attend crime scene • Research, develop and validate procedures • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: National Diploma/B Tech in one or more of the following: Fine Arts/Graphic Design with Photography as a subject, Multimedia or Photography • Proven and demonstrable experience in Adobe Premium.

Forensic Analysts – Scientific Analysis (2 Posts)
Pretoria (Material Analysis)
Section: Scientific Analysis Component: Forensic Science Laboratory Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum (Ref. FS 177/2011)
Core functions: Conduct scientific analysis and examine cases, mainly environmental and/or geological, including precious metals and soil analysis • Present expert testimony in court • Submit reports regarding analyses performed • Examine the crime scene • Maintain and calibrate instruments • Perform general administrative duties related to casework.
Additional requirements: Degree majoring in one or more of the following: Analytical Chemistry or Geology with a minimum of three years’ experience in an analytical laboratory • Proven and demonstrable experience in one or more of statistics, microscopy, mineralogy, gemology and analytical chemistry will be an added advantage.

Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
Forensic Analyst: Laboratory Technicians
• Eastern Cape: * Cradock (2) (Ref. FS 178/2011) * Grahamstown (2) (Ref. FS 179/2011) * Fort Beaufort (1) (Ref. FS 180/2011) * Jeffreys Bay (1) (Ref. FS 181/2011) * King William’s Town (2) (Ref. FS 182/2011) * Middelburg (2) (Ref. FS 183/2011) * Port Alfred (2) (Ref. FS 184/2011) * Mount Road (PE) (1) (Ref. FS 185/2011) * Queenstown (1) (Ref. FS 186/2011) * Uitenhage (1) (Ref. FS 187/2011) * Province Task Team (5) (Ref. FS 188/2011) * Mthatha (1) (Ref. FS 189/2011) • Free State: * Welkom (2) (Ref. FS 190/2011) * Parkweg (Bloemfontein) (1) (Ref. FS 191/2011) * Bethlehem (2) (Ref. FS 192/2011) * Kroonstad (1) (Ref. FS 193/2011) * Puthaditjhaba(1) (Ref. FS 194/2011) * Selosesha (1) (Ref. FS 195/2011) * Sasolburg (2) (Ref. FS 196/2011) • Gauteng: * Joburg Central (1) (Ref. FS 197/2011) * Krugersdorp (1) (Ref. FS 198/2011) * Pretoria Central (1) (Ref. FS 199/2011) * Protea Glen (1) (Ref. FS 200/2011) * Kempton Park (1) (Ref. FS 201/2011) * Sandton (2) (Ref. FS 202/2011) * Pretoria North (1) (Ref. FS 203/2011) * Vereeniging (1) (Ref. FS 204/2011) • Lyttelton (1) (Ref. FS 205/2011) * Springs (1) (Ref. FS 206/2011) * Garankuwa (1) (Ref. FS 207/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal: * Ladysmith (1) (Ref. FS 208/2011) * Vryheid (1) (Ref. FS 209/2011) * Mtubatuba (2) (Ref. FS 210/2011) * Newcastle (1) (Ref. FS 211/2011) * Kokstad (1) (Ref. FS 212/2011) * Pietermaritzburg (1) (Ref. FS 213/2011) • Limpopo: * Lephalale (1) (Ref. FS 214/2011) * Modimolle (1) (Ref. FS 215/2011) * Lebowakgomo (1) (Ref. FS 216/2011) * Thabazimbi (1) (Ref. FS 217/2011) * Thohoyandou (1) (Ref. FS 218/2011) * Musina (1) (Ref. FS 219/2011) * Polokwane (1) (Ref. FS 220/2011) • Mpumalanga: * Ermelo (1) (Ref. FS 221/2011) * Acornhoek (1) (Ref. FS 222/2011) * Witbank (1) (Ref. FS 223/2011) * Lydenburg (1) (Ref. FS 224/2011) * Secunda (1) (Ref. FS 225/2011) * Nelspruit (1) (Ref. FS 226/2011) * Elukwatini (2) (Ref. FS 227/2011) • North West: * Brits (1) (Ref. FS 228/2011) * Klerksdorp (1) (Ref. FS 229/2011) * Lichtenburg (1) (Ref. FS 230/2011) * Mmabatho (1) (Ref. FS 231/2011) * Potchefstroom (2) (Ref. FS 232/2011) * Rustenburg (1) (Ref. FS 233/20110 * Vryburg (2) (Ref. FS 234/2011) • Northern Cape: * De Aar (1) (Ref. FS 235/2011) * Upington (1) (Ref. FS 236/2011) * Springbok (1) (Ref. FS 237/2011) * Kimberley (1) (Ref. FS 238/2011) * Kuruman (1) (Ref. FS 239/2011) • Western Cape: * Cape Town Central (1) (Ref. FS 240/2011) * Mitchells Plain (1) (Ref. FS 241/2011) * Bellville (1) (Ref. FS 242/2011) * Worcester (1) (Ref. FS 243/2011) * Beaufort West (1) (Ref. FS 244/2011) * George (1) (Ref. FS 245/2011) * Somerset West (1) (Ref. FS 246/2011) * Paarl (1) (Ref. FS 247/2011) * Vredendal (1) (Ref. FS 248/2011) • National Crime Scene Management: Pretoria (2) (Ref. FS 249/2011)
Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Process evidence/exhibits in the LCRC Laboratory • Adhere to procedures for receiving and processing evidence for fingerprints • Attend to crime scenes on request for the development and capturing of fingerprints on immovable items by means of specialised scientific equipment • Adhere to procedures for capturing and recording of the results of fingerprints and related examinations and represent evidence in court of law • Maintain the LCRC Laboratory facility and equipment according to the prescribed standards, whilst adhering to the guidelines of the Safety, Health and Environment Regulations • Maintain a quality control system in the LCRC Laboratory.
Requirements: Degree/National Diploma in Natural Science/Forensic Investigations/Criminalistic/Criminology or any NQF 6 qualifications relevant to Laboratory environment.

Forensic Analyst (Crime Scene Management)
• Eastern Cape: * Grahamstown (2) (Ref. FS 250/2011) * Maluti (2) (Ref. FS 251/2011) * Elliot (2) (Ref. FS 252/2011) * Butterworth (2) (Ref. FS 253/2011) * Fort Beaufort (2) (Ref. FS 254/2011) * Graaff-Reinett (2) (Ref. FS 255/2011) Middelburg (2) * East London (2) (Ref. FS 256/2011) * (Ref. FS 257/2011) * Mount Road (4) (Ref. FS 258/2011) * Jeffreys Bay (2) (Ref. FS 259/2011) * Provincial Task Team (5) (Ref. FS 260/2011) • Free State: * Welkom (4) (Ref. FS 261/2011) * Parkweg (6)(Ref. FS 262/2011) * Bethlehem (3) (Ref. FS 263/2011) * Kroonstad (3) (Ref. FS 264/2011) * Phuthaditjhaba (2)(Ref. FS 265/2011) * Selosesha (3) (Ref. FS 266/2011) * Sasolburg (2) (Ref. FS 267/2011) • Gauteng: * Johannesburg Central (3) (Ref. FS 268/201) * Krugersdorp (2) (Ref. FS 269/2011) * Pretoria Central (2) (Ref. FS 270/2011) * Protea Glen (2) (Ref. FS 271/2011) * Kempton Park (2) (Ref. FS 272/2011) * Sandton (2) (Ref. FS 273/2011) * Pretoria North (3) (Ref. FS 274/2011) * Vereeniging (2) (Ref. FS 275/2011) * Lyttelton (2) (Ref. FS 276/2011) * Springs (2) (Ref. FS 277/2011) * Garankuwa (2) (Ref. FS 278/2011) * Germiston (2) (Ref. FS 279/2011) • North West: * Brits (2) (Ref. FS 280/2011) * Klerksdorp (3)(Ref. FS 281/2011) * Lichtenburg (2) (Ref. FS 282/2011) * Mmabatho (3)(Ref. FS 283/2011) * Pudimoe (2) (Ref. FS 284/2011) * Zeerust (3) (Ref. FS 285/2011) * Potchefstroom (3) (Ref. FS 286/2011) * Rustenburg (3) (Ref. FS 287/2011) * Vryburg (2) (Ref. FS 288/2011) • Northern Cape: * De Aar (9) (Ref. FS 289/2011) * Upington (4) (Ref. FS 290/2011) * Springbok (7) (Ref. FS 291/2011) * Kimberley (6) (Ref. FS 292/2011) * Kuruman (4) (Ref. FS 293/2011) • Western Cape: * Provincial Task Team (6) (Ref. FS 294/2011) * Mitchells Plain (3) (Ref. FS 295/2011) * Bellville (3) (Ref. FS 296/2011) * Worcester (3) (Ref. FS 297/2011) * George (3) (Ref. FS 298/2011) * Somerset West (3) (Ref. FS 299/2011) * Paarl (2) (Ref. FS 300/2011) * Oudtshoorn (3) (Ref. FS 301/2011) • KwaZulu-Natal: * Ladysmith (2) (Ref. FS 302/2011) * Mtubatuba (2) (Ref. FS 303/2011) * Newcastle (2) (Ref. FS 304/2011) * Kokstad (2) (Ref. FS 305/2011) * Pietermaritzburg (2) (Ref. FS 306/2011) * Durban (3) (Ref. FS 307/2011) * Nqutu (2) (Ref. FS 308/2011) * Richards Bay (2)(Ref. FS 309/2011) * Ulundi (2) (Ref. FS 310/2011) * Vryheid (2) (Ref. FS 311/20110 * Port Shepstone (2) (Ref. FS 312/2011) • Limpopo: * Lephalale (1) (Ref. FS 313/2011) * Modimolle (2) (Ref. FS 314/2011) * Lebowakgomo (2) (Ref. FS 315/2011) * Thabazimbi(1) (Ref. FS 316/2011) * Thohoyandou (2) (Ref. FS 317/2011) * Musina (1) (Ref. FS 318/2011) * Polokwane (3) (Ref. FS 319/2011) * Groblersdal (1) (Ref. FS 320/2011) * Makhado (2) (Ref. FS 321/2011) * Mokopane (1) (Ref. FS 322/2011) * Phalaborwa (2) (Ref. FS 323/2011) * Tzaneen (2) (Ref. FS 324/2011) • Mpumalanga: * Ermelo (3) (Ref. FS 325/2011) * Acornhoek (2) (Ref. FS 326/2011) * Witbank (2) (Ref. FS 327/2011) * Lydenburg (2) (Ref. FS 328/2011) * Secunda (2) (Ref. FS 329/2011) * Nelspruit (2) (Ref. FS 330/2011) * Elikwatini (2) (Ref. FS 331/2011) * Kwamhlanga (2) (Ref. FS 332/2011) • National Crime Scene Management: Pretoria (2) (Ref. FS 333/2011)
Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Process crime scenes • Compile and provide related documents, such as exhibits which include, but are not limited, to fingerprints, photography plan drawing, videography forensic field work (ballistics) • Re-construct events and lead and submit evidence in court • Capture information with regard to SAPS Computerised Systems • Ensure optimal utilisation of resources.
Requirements: Degree/National Diploma in Natural Science/Forensic Investigations/Criminalistic/Criminology or any NQF 6 qualifications relevant to the Laboratory environment.

Forensic Analyst (Facial Identification)
Gauteng: Pretoria (1) (Ref. FS 334/2011) Salary level: Band B1 Notch 3: R174 264 per annum
Core functions: Compile a face with computer software from a verbal description of the witness or complainant • Provide a physical description and modus operandi of a wanted person or suspect • Sketch jewellery, other items or unidentified people to aid in the tracing of identification • Present lectures to SAPS members • Compile all applicable administrative documents and maintain resources • 2-D and 3-D facial reconstruction.
Requirements: Degree/National Diploma SAQA accredited NQF6 qualification with specification in Arts of which Fine Arts will be an advantage.

***Important General Information:

Only the official SAPS application_form (available on the SAPS website and at SAPS Recruitment Offices) will be accepted. The Z83 previously utilised will no longer be accepted

• All instructions on the application form must be adhered to, since failure to do so may result in the rejection of the application

• The application must be accompanied by all relevant certified copies of tertiary qualifications, academic record, Senior Certificate or Grade 12 Certificates, ID document, valid driver’s licence (where applicable), where applicable marriage certificate, ID of spouse and children birth certificates/ID and a detailed CV. No application will be accepted without these documents. The South African Police Service will verify the residential address and qualifications of applicants, as well as citizenship

• Reference checking will be conducted on all short-listed applicants

• The post particulars and reference number of the post must be correctly specified on the application form

• Applicants must not have been found guilty of previous criminal convictions or have left the Public Service as a result of a severance package, early retirement or medical reasons, as these applications will be rejected

• Short-listed candidates for appointment to certain identified posts, will be vetted in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007) and the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No 38 of 2005). A candidate whose particulars appear in either the National Register for Sex Offenders or Part B of the Child Protection Register, will be disqualified from appointment to that post

• Through the filling of the abovementioned posts, applicants whose appointment will promote representivity may receive preference. If a candidate is short-listed, it can be expected of him/her to undergo a personal interview

• The South African Police Service is under no obligation to fill the post after the advertisement thereof

• Although the post is advertised, the National Commissioner may withdraw the post from the advertisement, re-advertise the post or fill the post by transferring a person at the same level where this is deemed to be in the interest of service delivery

• Applicants are advised to apply for posts closer to their residence

• Correspondence will be conducted with successful applicants only

• Late applications will not be considered

• No faxed applications will be allowed

• Applicants must submit separate applications for each post.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 2011-08-19.

Applications can be directed to:

Physical Address: 730 Pretorius Street, Sterlizia building, Arcadia, 0083.

Postal Address: Private Bag X322, Pretoria 0001,for attention: SPO SW Matsheni/SPO MP Motjelele.

Enquiries: SPO SW Matsheni/SPO MP Motjelele, tel. (012) 421-0584.

For the Provinces, applications and enquiries can be directed to the following addresses:
Gauteng Province: Johannesburg: The Provincial Head: Gauteng Province, Private Bag X19, Johannesburg 2000 or hand-deliver at Room 202, 2nd Floor, SAPS Building No 1, Commissioner Street, Johanneburg, for attention: Colonel MA Lotter Enquiries: Colonel MA Lotter, tel. (011) 497-7253

Eastern Cape Province: King William’s Town: Private Bag X7471, King William’s Town 5600 or hand-deliver at Cash Build Buildings, No 5 Cowen Close, Schornville, King William’s Town, for attention: Colonel Mpalo Enquiries: Colonel Mpalo, tel. (043) 604-6302/6303 Port Elizabeth: Private Bag X6019, Port Elizabeth 6000 or hand- deliver at Urban Donges Building, Hancock Street, North End, Port Elizabeth 6000, for attention: PO M Bradley or PO J Ntshiliza Enquiries: PO M Bradley or PO J Ntshiliza, tel. (041) 407-6706

Free State Province: Private Bag X20560, Bloemfontein 9300 or hand-deliver at corner Aliwal and Fontein Streets, Bloemfontein, for attention: Lt Col Setshego Enquiries: Lt Col Setshego, tel. (051) 507-6637/8.

KwaZulu-Natal Province: Durban: PO Box, 1965 Durban 4000 or hand-deliver at 2nd Floor, Servamus Building, 15 Ordinance Road, Durban, for attention: Capt Sighn Enquiries: Capt Sighn, tel. (031) 325-5916 Amazimtoti: PO Box 2082, Amazimtoti 4125 or hand-deliver at King Crest Building, 415 Kingsway Road, Kingsway, Amazimtoti 4125, for attention: SPO TN Dinga or SPO NL Makhubo Enquiries: SPO TN Dinga or SPO NL Makhubo, tel. (031) 904-0791

Limpopo Province: PO Box 829, Polokwane 0788 or hand-delliver at 8 Albatross Building, 19 Mark Street, Polokwane Enquiries: Capt Manya, tel. (015) 290-6797 Mpumalanga Province: Private Bag X1801, Middelburg 1050 or hand-deliver at 1st Floor, The Oak Centrum, corner Hendrik Potgieter and Cadc Streets, Middelburg, for attention: Colonel van Wyk or CAC A Carstens Enquiries: Colonel van Wyk or CAC A Carstens, tel. (013) 249-8236

Northern Cape Province: Private Bag X5001, Kimberley 8300 or hand-deliver at 3rd Floor, 33 Woodley Street, Kimberley, for attention: Lt Col Hlakanye Enquiries: Lt Col Hlakanye, tel. (053) 838-5643 North West: Private Bag X801, Potchefstroom 2531 or hand-deliver at 3rd Floor, Louis Le Grange Building, corner Peter Mokaba and Wolmarans Streets, Potchefstroom, for attention: Lt Col Knoetze Enquiries: Lt Col Knoetze, tel. (018) 299- 7067

Western Cape Province: Cape Town: Private Bag X9113, Cape Town 8000 or hand-deliver at 3rd Floor, Thomas Boydell Building, Parade Street, Cape Town Enquiries: Brigadier Jacobs or Lt Col Gouws, tel. (021) 467-6231/6240 Kuils River: Private Bag X3, Brandwood Park, Kuils River 7579 or hand-deliver at Somchem Building, A81 Reeb Road, Macassar 7130, for attention: Capt M Swart. Enquiries: Capt M Swart, tel. (021) 850-2880.

Tags: forensic, forensic analyst, forensic lab, forensic lab job, forensic science lab, job, laboratory, SAPS, south african police service
Posted in Forensic Career | 25 Comments »

DNA in the Courtroom

Wed, Aug 3rd, 2011

If you are reading this blog, then we have to assume that at the very least, you have recognised that DNA profiling in a criminal context has fast become the most powerful criminal justice tool used in the world today and is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system. The DNA Project certainly recognises this fact and in its national effort to create DNA awareness in SA, we have extended our awareness campaign beyond just the crime scene, to include awareness in our justice system. Without convictions, all the hard work at ground level may also be set to fail, because it is not used expeditiously in a case where it could potentially provide one of the strongest forms of evidence to link the suspect to the crime scene.

However, to ensure DNA’s optimum use in criminal proceedings, it is imperative that criminal justice litigators are properly conversant with the scientific basis and presentation of such evidence, as well as with its potential usefulness in criminal cases. As such, the DNA Project is hosting and funding the its first Legal workshop tomorrow for the Western Cape Branch of the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority). Over 60 prosecutors will be present as well as representatives from the Legal Aid Board and the Department of Justice. The aim of this course is to form a bridge between the science of DNA and the legal aspects of DNA evidence. It will provide criminal justice litigators with the necessary information not only to understand the significance of DNA evidence, but also to successfully adduce, recognize and if necessary, challenge the validity of such evidence in court.

Below is a brief outline of the issues which will be covered in the full day course:

Part One: Overview of DNA Profiling – Prof. Valerie Corfield

A single cigarette butt left at the scene of a robbery and murder has led to the conviction of a 24-year-old man

1.1 The science underlying DNA profiling — what does a profile look like, how does a DNA database work for criminal intelligence and the latest developments in this field.
1.2 Collection of samples for DNA Purposes: sample taking in terms of the current CPA and proposed sample taking in terms of the new Draft Bill
1.3 SAPS FSL Disclosure Policies

Part Two: The DNA Bill – Ms Vanessa Lynch
4.1 An overview of current legislation regulating DNA collection, analysis and use in the courtroom
4.2 An introduction to the draft DNA Bill and its impact on the way in which DNA profiles will be regulated in SA

Part Three: DNA in the Courtroom – Dr Andra le Roux Kemp
3.1 The significance of a Match and whether it ought to be challenged
3.2 Constitutionality of section 212
3.3 Evaluation of evidence: the possible grounds upon which challenges to the weight of DNA evidence can be made
3.4 Defense and prosecution fallacies

Part Four: Pre-trial Issues – Lt Col. Sharlene Otto
2.1 Interpreting the lab report
2.2 Meaning of a match
2.3 Important Questions to ask in preparation for trail

The presenters:

Professor Valerie Corfield, BSc Hons Botany (Bristol, UK); MSc Cell Biology (Wright Sate University, USA); PhD Genetics (University of the Witwatersrand).Medical scientist, Department of Medical Biosciences, Stellenbosch University. Professor Corfield’s research focus is the molecular genetics of inherited heart disease. She has published extensively and is rated as a scientist with international recognition by the National Research Foundation, for which she serves on several committees. Now semi-retired from her academic position, she delivers lectures and develops and presents interactive workshops which engage the general public in a greater understanding of science and appreciation of its societal implications. Activities include DNA and its applications in forensics. She holds a Wellcome Trust International Engagement award in biomedicine and presents workshops for The DNA Project, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement and Science Centres across South Africa.

Ms Vanessa Lynch BA (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) LLB (UCT), Founder and Executive Director of the DNA Project. Ms. Lynch qualified as an attorney from UCT in 1993. She left her position as a Commercial attorney in 2005 in order to undertake the work of the DNA Project on a full-time basis and is now the Executive Director of this organisation. She founded the DNA Project following the brutal murder of her father in 2004 after seeking a way in which to meaningfully contribute towards the alleviation of crime in South Africa in a manner which was significant, achievable, tangible and would ultimately have a long term impact towards negating the high crime rate in S.A. An assessment of successful criminal justice systems all pointed to one obvious solution: the abatement of crime in other countries was ultimately achieved through the implementation and development of a National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database. In an effort to emulate this success in South Africa, she established a non-profit organisation to practically address the crime situation in South Africa through the expanded use of DNA evidence in conjunction with South Africa’s National DNA Database.

Dr Andra le Roux-Kemp BA, LLB (Stell), CML (UNISA), LLD (Stell). Adv of the High Court of South Africa; Part-time lecturer at Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Law. Dr Andra le Roux-Kemp obtained the BA, LLB and LLD degrees from Stellenbosch University and a postgraduate certificate in Medicine and Law from UNISA. Her primary area of interest and expertise relate to particular themes in Criminal Justice and Medical- and Health Law. She has published both locally and is the author of the recently published book Law, Power and the Doctor-Patient Relationship: A Legal Perspective (2011). She is a member of the South African Medico-Legal Society (SAMLS) and the Criminological and Victimological Society of South Africa (CRIMSA) and teaches a LLM module in Legal Medicine annually at Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Law.

Lieutenant Colonel Sharlene Otto: CHIEF FORENSIC ANALYST and REPORTING OFFICER – Biology Unit of the Forensic Science Laboratory (SAPS, Cape Town) Lt Col. Otto has a B. Sc.-degree, with Botany and Zoology as majors from the UFS as well as a Higher Teaching Diploma and has been attached to the Biology Unit of the Forensic Science Laboratory since November 1993. Since that time she has received intensive training in serology and various DNA-technique, statistics, STR’s and has attended and presented at both national and international DNA conferences. Sharelene has been involved in the DNA analysis of biological evidentiary samples since 1996 and since November 1997 she has been involved in the STR-analysis of these samples. During October 2003. Lt Col. Otto takes part in both internal and external proficiency tests on a regular basis all of which have completed them all successfully. In total, Lt Col. Otto has 25 years experience in the biological sciences and is one of South Africa’s most experienced and valuable DNA Forensic Experts.

The DNA Project has funded this DNA Awareness workshop with funds raised to promote DNA Awareness in SA. The DNA Project wishes to thank the Change a Life Trust and Juta for their kind sponsorship towards this workshop.

For more information contact info@dnaproject.co.za

Posted in Crime Scenes, DNA Detective, Links, Press | Comments Off on DNA in the Courtroom

Women’s ‘Arrest Law’: Warning

Sun, Jul 24th, 2011

Recently, we received the email below:

DO YOU KNOW THIS LAW?

An incident took place – a young girl was attacked by a man posing as a plain clothes officer; he asked her to come to the police station when she & her male friend didn’t have a driver’s license to show. He sent the male friend off to get his license and asked the girl to accompany him to the police station. Instead he took her to an isolated area where the rape was committed.

The law [which most of us are not aware of] clearly states that between 6 pm and 6 am, a woman has the right to REFUSE to go to the Police Station, even if an arrest warrant has been issued against her.

It is procedural that a woman can only be arrested between 6am and 6pm, unless she is arrested by a woman officer and taken to an ALL WOMEN police station. If she is arrested by a male officer, it has to be proven that a

woman officer was on duty at the time of arrest.

Please fwd this to as many girls/women you know. Guys, protect your wives, sisters and mothers by knowing this law. It is good for us to know our rights.

Do not neglect, fwd to your entire buddy list.

———————————————————————————————————————–

After some research, we identified that this email is a hoax which has been circulating the internet for a few years and has been credited in various forms in different countries throughout the world. Although a law such as this would be great in terms of our high rate of rape in South Africa, it is simply not true.

One thing which females should remember if they are arrested, is that under the Criminal Procedures Act, a woman can only be searched by a female police officer. This is your right and if this is not performed by a female you have the right to insist that it is.

If you come across any emails such as this, please do not forward this incorrect information further. Although your intentions are noble, by passing on these hoax emails, you could inadvertently cause someone to be charged with refusing arrest, if they believe that these emails are true.

Tags: crime, dna, DNA database, DNA Project, hoax email, law, rape, woman cannot be arrested at night
Posted in DNA Project | Comments Off on Women’s ‘Arrest Law’: Warning

Misleading view of the database: Update

Mon, Jul 11th, 2011

We previously blogged about a letter criticizing Chris Asplen’s letter in The Witness. The final response published in reaction to Ms. de Haas’s letter was edited down and published, which promptly received a response. It is unfortunate someone in the public does not consider the change in legislation and the new DNA bill as vital to decreasing the shocking statistics of rape and murder in our beautiful country. In response, Dr Carolyn Hancock has highlighted some of the cases in SA where a DNA database would no doubt have saved many lives and where DNA evidence was used successfully.

There has recently been debate in the press on whether South Africa needs a DNA database. In an effort to highlight the incredible potential of this form of evidence, I thought it may be a good idea to write about some of South Africa’s most notorious criminals and their victims.

Moses Sithole began raping women in his twenties, claiming 3 victims before one testified. He was sent to prison for 6 years. Shortly after his release in 1993 he began his murder spree. In total he is known to have raped 40 women, 38 of whom were strangled with their own underwear. On 5 Dec 1997, he was sent to prison for 2410 years with eligibility for parole in 930 years. He is incarcerated at Pretoria’s C-Max prison. IF South Africa had kept his profile on a DNA database after his first release from prison in 1993, he could have been identified and apprehended after his first victim was raped and killed – literally 37 women’s lives could have been saved!

Many of us will remember the tragic case of nine-month-old “Baby Tshepang” who was attacked and viciously raped in 2001. Her injuries were so substantial that gang rape was assumed. This horrifying attack provoked outrage in the local community and six men were swiftly arrested and subsequently spent three months in jail. All six men lost their jobs. However, DNA tests later revealed that there was a sole rapist and that none of the accused had a DNA profile that matched that of the assailant. The six falsely accused men were immediately released and exonerated of the crime. David Potse, a former boyfriend of Baby Tshepang’s mother, was arrested and shown to be an exact DNA match with the rapist. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. This case was particularly revolutionary in South Africa where DNA proved the innocence of 6 people and led to the conviction of the rapist. In South Africa the conviction rate for child rape is a mere three percent.

On 6 June 2011 Shavani Phophi, known as the Muldersdrift rapist, was found guilty of 6 rapes, 3 robberies with aggravating circumstance, and two cases of theft. Five of the rape victims were adult women who Phophi offered work and then lured to Nooitgedacht to rape them in the veld. The InvestigativePsychology Unit of the SAPS utilized a number of strategies, including DNA, to successfully link all of the adult rape cases and to locate the suspect in his shack in KyaSands. After arrest the suspect was then also linked through the DNA database to a rape of a 10-year-old girl in 2005. Without the database, the case of the little girl would not have otherwise come to the attention of the police, as the other victims were adult females raped between June 2009 and May 2010. Sentencing is due to take place on 2nd August.

Given the extremely high rates of recidivism in South Africa,the potential for our DNA database to help solve and prevent crime is substantial. DNA analysis cannot stop the first crime from occurring, but it can provide investigators with the tools they need to identity a suspect and remove the threat to public safety before the same perpetrator can re-offend.

Carolyn

Posted in DNA Project | Comments Off on Misleading view of the database: Update

Dr. Carolyn Hancock on 702 Radio

Wed, Jun 29th, 2011

Last Sunday, Udo Carelse from 702 Radio invited Dr. Carolyn Hancock to discuss the DNA Project and the role of DNA forensics in South Africa. 702 Radio has a special slot on a Sunday morning where they address issues of crime. They get station commanders from various policing stations to address issues in their areas. However, this week’s focus was on the recent break-ins at both the Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros’s home and the former national commissioner Jackie Selebi’s home. The general view was that such high profile people definitely receive special attention when they are victims of crime. However, changing to a slightly different

Udo Carelse

issue, Udo chatted to Carolyn about what is being done for the average South African when DNA evidence is left at a crime scene. They also discussed the new DNA Bill and the study tour currently being undertaken by the parliamentary committee to Canada and the UK. Below is the sound clip of the interview with Carolyn where she highlights the roll of DNA forensics and the need for the expansion of South Africa’s national DNA database. Please remember to contact us at maya@dnaproject.co.za if you are interested in our DNA awareness workshops!

Click on the link below for the interview, or right click and save the file.

Dr Carolyn Hancock 702 Radio

Note: The legislation was drafted in 2008 and not 1998 as stated in the sound clip.

Tags: 702 radio, carolyn hancock, crime, dna, DNA database, DNA Project, forensic, Legislation
Posted in DNA Project | Comments Off on Dr. Carolyn Hancock on 702 Radio

Is DNA forensics being used in South Africa?

Mon, Jun 27th, 2011

Yes! DNA is used in a number of forensic investigations that are performed daily in South Africa. This is great news but unfortunately this amazing technology is still under utilised in our country. So what has been in the news lately?

A single cigarette butt left at the scene of a robbery and murder has led to the conviction of a 24-year-old man

An article, published in ioL news on the 21st June, describes how DNA evidence was used to convict a 24-year old man of the robbery and murder of Cornelia Janneke. Without the DNA evidence collected by police and the CSI team, Thumelo Monakedi would have never been brought to justice. The accused vehemently denied ever being at the scene of the crime. However, the saliva on the tip of a cigarette butt irrefutably proved his presence at the crime. With a 23 billion chance of the DNA profile on the cigarette not being the accused, it shows without any doubt who committed this crime!

With one child going missing every six hours in South Africa I found another recent article very interesting. A pilot project that involves the collection of pupil’s fingerprints, saliva swabs, hair samples and a photo ID of the pupil, has been introduced into a school in Brackenfell on the 20 June 2011.

OUCH! Bastion Primary Grade 1 pupil Anita Steyn, 7, braces herself as Sjean de Kock, a fourth-year social work student, takes a hair sample to be included in the IDENT-A-KID database, aimed at keeping children safe. Picture: Jeffrey Abrahams

Note is also taken of physical features, such as hair and eye colour as well as age. All this information will be stored on a school database, so that if a missing child is found the police will be able to identify the child. With projects like this in South Africa, we would also be able to identify missing children and reunite them with their families.

So going back to the main question, is DNA being used in forensic investigations in South Africa? Yes it is – but there is SO much more that still needs to be done….. For example, we desperately need to pass the amendment to the Criminal Procedures Act which would allow for the expansion of our National DNA Database. Unfortunately, due to the this legislation not being considered by the Parliamentary Committee for Police, the police are not empowered to utilise DNA evidence to it’s full potential. To quote a recent article written by Chris Asplen on the delay in the legislation regarding the expansion and regulation of the national DNA database, “hundreds of thousands of children’s lives are sacrificed because of the failure to act by politicians in South Africa.”

Tags: Cigarette, crime, dna, DNA database, DNA Project, forensic, Legislation
Posted in DNA Project | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »

Author Archive

More Than Just a Number