2013-01-04 14:01

New Delhi – Prosecutors said DNA tests have established the guilt of the suspects in the gang rape and killing of a 23-year-old, which have sparked protests across India, news reports said.

The 16 December crime was “well-planned” and the suspects’ involvement was established with tests conducted on bites by the victim on three of her assailants and skin and hair collected from under her nails, public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan said on Thursday after five men were charged in a New Delhi court with kidnapping, rape and murder.

The charges were filed a day before top police and government officials from Indian states met on Friday in the capital to discuss preventing violence against women and the prosecution of such crimes.

The meeting and demonstrations were held after the attack on the physiotherapy student on a moving bus in New Delhi. The victim died on Saturday in a Singapore hospital.

As the year draws to a close, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on what we have done during the course of 2012 to further the aims and objectives of The DNA Project. We want to share this with you because The DNA Project is made up not only of our own team members, but of all those who support us – whether it be through volunteer work, funding, standing up to be counted or actually putting into practice what has been learned about crime scene preservation. We can and will continue to fight this together.

Thank you for all of your support!

Take care over the festive season and we look forward to reconnecting with you all in 2013.

with thanks

Vanessa Lynch & The DNA Project Team

* Our offices will be closed between the 17th December 2012 and the 7th January 2013.

Herewith a Summary of the work we have done during the course of 2012:

The DNA Project has worked tirelessly during the course of this last year to ensure that crime scene awareness is practiced not only by the general public, but all first on crime scene responders. A representative of the Forensic Science Services publicly thanked The DNA Project last week at an International Policing Summit for the work we have done and continue to do in creating crime scene awareness in South Africa. What was particularly exciting is that he further stated that they had noticed a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of DNA evidence being received at the Forensic Lab, which they attribute to the effectiveness of the work of the DNA Project in creating greater crime scene awareness and in highlighting the importance of not contaminating or destroying evidence left on a crime scene.  These inroads, coupled with the inclusion of the DNA Project in the process of progressing of the DNA Bill through Parliament, means that we will need to embark on an even greater awareness drive next year to keep up with the demand being placed on us in this critical arena. This will require the training of additional trainers, the purchasing of extra training equipment, the expansion of our workshops into other areas as well as the provision of more crime scene awareness material.

We also wish to continue with our media awareness drive which this year has generated over R7000 000 worth of advertising, at virtually no cost to us, thanks to the incredibly generous contributions of The Change a Life Trust,  FoxP2, Assegai Javelin, Africa Imagery as well as etv and DSTV and several publishing houses, all of which have provided us with funding as well as free and greatly discounted  services to enable us to create various media platforms to disseminate our crime scene awareness messages.

Our target of training 5000 first on crime scene responders during 2012, was exceeded, in fact almost doubled: we trained 9944 first on crime scene responders this year and have to date trained over 18 950 crime scene responders!

Vanessa Lynch and Carolyn Hancock

Herewith is an excerpt from an email received by a SAPS trainee who attended one of our workshops in October 2012:
“I want to take this opportunity to thank you guys for the brilliant presentation the other day….
Historically police, very alarmingly experienced grave difficulty in fulfilling their roles at crime scenes mostly due to lack of updated training in this field of crime scene management… Most of the police officers whom I observed at your workshop on the 18th October was (sic) with me on the advanced crime scene management course presented by the division SAPS Training, Western Cape. The training however focused much on the preservation, access control and the collection of evidence and not much focus was on DNA itself as potential evidence and the likelihood of where else it could be obtained.
This was where your workshop enhanced the SAPS training and I thank you for that.
Madam I and I’m sure I speak for all of us that attended your workshop… “We salute you!”
Never give up and tackle this problem “One policeman, ambulance man, paramedic, fireman and security guard” at a time.”

Update on Legislation:
The Portfolio Committee for Police (PCP) finally accepted the DNA Policy on the 13th June 2012, which policy has underpinned the drafting of the second version of the DNA Bill. The final Bill has been drafted and is now expected to be adopted by Cabinet. The DNA Policy recommended that South Africa establish a DNA Database as a criminal intelligence tool, to aid in fighting crime and to enhance public confidence while taking into consideration peoples’ Constitutional rights. The DNA Project was extensively consulted in the drafting of the policy and we are extremely pleased that most of our recommendations were included.  Most significantly, the DNA Project was consulted to assist with the drafting of the final DNA Bill, which will now be adopted by Cabinet.  Various drafts of the DNA Bill were sent to the DNA Project for commentary, recommendations and amendments. It is anticipated that the Portfolio Committee for Police will begin reviewing the final Bill in early January 2013.   We are also delighted to report that a new regulation has just been passed allowing police officers, who have been appropriately trained by a medical practitioner, to collect buccal (cheek) swabs from arrestees and suspects for collection of reference DNA

Vanessa Lynch reading the DNA Policy as presented to the Committee

samples. A meeting with the new Section Head of the National DNA Database in JHB last week, confirmed that a bid will be published in January 2013 calling for medical practitioners to apply to the forensic services to conduct group training in line with the provisions of this regulation.  The importance of this regulation is that when the DNA Bill is promulgated, making it mandatory for arrestees to have their DNA sample collected, they will already have trained police officials to take on this role.

The distribution of the DNA Awareness Materials developed by The DNA Project continued throughout 2012. All of our innovative training materials are distributed and provided free of charge to all trainees, namely:

1. Posters
A series of 5 posters have been designed and printed for use by organizations involved in crime scene response. These range from paramedic training institutions, to police stations, to schools, to security companies and CPF’s.  The uptake and enthusiasm in respect of recipients of these posters has exceeded our expectations in terms of the outreach and functional awareness they have created. We continue to see our posters in police stations, community centres, security offices, schools and science centres throughout South Africa.

We have also printed a number of Posters with the ‘She Asked for It’ message on it. These have enjoyed phenomenal success and have been distributed at seminars, exhibitions as well as requested by several Rape Crisis Centres to put on their walls for education purposes and to encourage victims to request DNA evidence to be collected.

2. Crime Scene Tape

In the first part of the year, we created and printed crime scene tape with the simple message:
KEEP OUT! CRIME SCENE.

Jes Foord and Carolyn Hancock

The purpose of this tape was to provide a physical barrier between the crime scene and non-forensic, non-essential personnel to ensure that crime scenes are protected from contamination, destruction and disturbance for as long as possible in order for the Crime Scene Investigators to properly collect evidence left at the crime scene before it is destroyed.

As we cannot use official SAPS barrier tape, the first order of 1000 rolls of this ‘non-official’ barrier tape has already been distributed and we have just ordered a further 500 rolls. It is currently being used by CPF’s, paramedics, security companies and non-SAPS first responding officers in an effort to help SECURE the crime scene.

3. Leaflets
In the first part of the year we created a simple 4 page,  A5 leaflet to disseminate at awareness events, schools and larger awareness events and conferences. The information contained in our leaflet tell a simple story: The types of possible biological evidence which may be found at a crime scene are depicted and the “DNA CSI” message that crime scenes must be secured and nothing touched before the forensic personnel arrive is emphasized.

We have just completed and printed another set of leaflets, with the “She Asked for It” advert on the cover, which is focused on sexual assault. We have already distributed approximately 9000 of these leaflets and are preparing for another print run in 2013.

4. DNA Information Booklets
We have ordered and had delivered the 4th print run of our comprehensive 12 page DNA Awareness information booklet, with some variation following our Trainer’s workshop held in Cape Town.  The booklet provides a comprehensive overview of DNA profiling, sources of DNA, how DNA profiles can help identify a suspect and solve crimes, where evidence can be found on a crime scene, the possible location of DNA evidence at a crime scene, the risk of contamination of DNA evidence, how it should be stored and transported, how a rape victim can preserve DNA evidence as well as information about the DNA legislation, how people can help at a crime scene and our central message: ‘DNA CSI’.

5. Training Manuals
Our training manuals have just been updated and provide DNA Awareness Trainers with the basic information required to present a DNA Awareness Training Workshop. The primary target audience for these Training Manuals are first responders and any person involved in the crime scene investigation process who are not fully trained to collect forensic evidence. The comprehensive step by step instruction manual is a take home home manual given to new trainees free of charge in order that they may follow the clear instructions contained therein when hosting future workshops.

Every year we gather together in Johannesburg with our ‘extended’ family:  the amazing people who work for the Change a Life Trust and the fantastic group of cyclists who ‘make it happen’. Not only are we expected, as a beneficiary of this Trust, to provide feedback in respect of what we did with their money — we are given an opportunity to hear what other beneficiaries have done too. It’s all about Changing Peoples’ Lives and it is a humbling experience.

Top Right: Chris Froome (2nd in the Tour de France last year), Darryl Impey (one of our top cyclists in SA) & Robbie Hunter (SA Champion) Bottom Left: Vanessa Lynch & Carolyn Hancock

We heard how a small school in the Transkei is transforming the lives of the entire location, how rehabilitated young offenders have become mentors in their own communities and how a Karate Dojo is empowering young boys and teaching them respect for life and their peers. There is so much one can do to build a forest of hope in our country, and I for one, feel incredibly lucky to be part of that process.

We were given a platform to showcase some of the work The DNA Project has achieved during 2012 and we are very proud of what we have done with such a small team of people to create greater crime scene awareness in South Africa. This has all been made possible due to the incredible support of the Change a Life Trust and the phenomenal members who make up the DNA Project Team. It is such a pleasure and privilege to work with people who are so passionate about and committed to the work they do. To all of you – Thank you.

Vanessa Lynch

George Corbett (COO of Europcar) with Vanessa Lynch

The Change a Life High Five Tour 2012 documentary will premiere on SuperSport 6 (DStv channel 206)on 3 Dec 2012 at 18:30.

So don’t miss it!

Repeats of the show will be broadcast on:

05 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 15:45
07 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 08:30
10 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 17:00
11 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 04:00 and 10:30
12 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 06:30
13 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 16:00
14 December 2012 – SuperSport 6 (Channel 206) at 09:00

Here is a summary of some of the work we have done during 2012:

Number of First on Crime Scene Responders Trained:

2011: 8172 trainees
2012: 17 896 trainees!
Including SAPS:  VISPOL/LCRC, NPA/Metro Police

DNA Awareness Training Materials issued and printed: Posters, Information Booklets, Flyers, Lanyards, Notebooks, Certificates, Training Manuals, Crime Scene Tape, Training DVD’s, Evidence bags.

Legislation:

DNA Policy Approved: June 2012
Final DNA Bill Drafted: Oct 2012
Adoption by Cabinet: Pending
DNA Project: consulted on drafting of both Policy and Bill

Key Provisions of new DNA Bill:

DNA from all arrestees
Sample taking by police
Convicted offenders DNA profile included retrospectively
Creation of criminal intelligence DNA Database i.e. mandatory sampling from suspects (sch 1 crimes) & crime scenes

Media Campaign to educate greater public on the importance of the preservation of evidence on a crime scene:

DNA Project Directors', Vanessa Lynch & Carolyn Hancock

The Cigarette that saved Lives – TV
Never Disturb a Crime Scene – TV
‘She Asked for It‘ – Print
Free TV airtime: from Dec 2011-Dec 2012: etv, top tv, DSTV

1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR VARIOUS POSTS ADVERTISED FOR THE FORENSIC SERVICES: SR 12&10

2. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM FOR THE FORENSIC SERVICES POST YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR.

The closing date for the applications is 2012-12-14

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DIRECTIVES WHEN APPLYING:

•    The application form must be completed in your own handwriting. All instructions on the application form must be adhered to. Failure to do so may result in the application being turned down.

•    An original application form and CV must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.

•    This form must be sworned to or affirmed and then be signed in the presence of a
Commissioner of Oaths.

•    The CV must contain full particulars of all boards on which an applicant serves,
remunerated work outside the public service, career promotions/appointments, career
developments, career history, current studies and qualifications.

•    Certified copies of an applicant’s ID document, motor vehicle driver’s licence, all educational qualifications obtained and service certificates of previous employers stating the post occupied, must also be submitted and be attached to every application.

•    Applications must be mailed timeously, prior to the due date. Late applications will not be accepted or considered. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.**

•    Correspondence may be conducted with successful candidates only.

•    Short-listed candidates will be interviewed only on the date and time specified by the relevant selection committee.

•    In filling the above post, an applicant whose appointment will promote representivity may receive preference.

•    The South African Police Service is not under any obligation to fill a post after it has
been advertised.

•    Although the post is advertised, the National Commissioner may withdraw the post from the advertisement, readvertise 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.

•    The appointment of the successful applicant will come into effect on the first day of the month following the date on which the National Commissioner approved the appointment.

•   ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO EITHER:

1. LIEUTENANT COLONEL JH KLOPPER,  TEL: 012 421-019

OR

2. CAPTAIN GV MASHAKANE, TEL: 012 421-0539

**(MAIL YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PREFERABLY 14 DAYS BEFORE THE DUE DATE.    IN SOME INSTANCES POSTAL ITEMS TAKE MORE THAN 21 DAYS TO REACH THE FSL. IF YOU SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY COURIER, SEND IT DOOR TO DOOR. EACH APPLICATION, CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST EITHER BE STAPLED AT THE TOP LEFT- HAND CORNER OR BOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE. DO NOT USE PAPER CLIPS OR STRINGS.)

The new state-of-the-art Forensic Lab in Plattefkloof, Cape Town

In the wake of the press report below, I was personally advised yesterday that an advertisement for some of the 800 Forensic posts, will be published either today or tomorrow. Please watch our website / facebook and twitter pages for a copy of the advertisement if you wish to apply for a Forensic Analyst post at the state Forensic Lab.

Vanessa Lynch

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa (Picture: Sapa)

This report first appeared on News24 on the 21/11/2012

Cape Town – Hundreds of additional forensic analysts will be employed within the current financial year, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Wednesday.

“One of the fundamental components of the criminal justice system is ensuring that evidence presented before a court of law is accurate, and can enable police to secure convictions,” he said in written reply to a parliamentary question.

Central to the collection and analysis of such evidence, was ensuring that the SA Police Service forensic science laboratories were effectively capacitated and effective, he said.

In 2009/10, the SAPS forensic science laboratories received 207 660 entries and in 2010/11, the number increased by 26% to 260 826.

Increased confidence

The number of entries received in 2011/12 increased by an additional 23% to 320 729, and between 1 April and 30 September this year, 209 431 entries were received – a 67% increase in comparison to the same period the previous year.

The substantial increase in the number of exhibits submitted to the FSL since 1 April 2009 was evidence of the increased confidence investigating officers had in the ability of the forensic services to contribute to the investigation of crime and bring perpetrators to book, Mthethwa said.

“The increase is going to be addressed through the employment of [an] additional 800 forensic analysts within the current financial year. As police leadership, we are encouraged by the progress attained thus far.”

This progress could be attributed to, among others, modernised systems coupled with adequately-equipped human capital, which ultimately resulted in improved turn-around time in terms of processing forensic case work.

Positive turn-around

The aggressive launch and execution of forensic awareness programmes in the previous financial year among frontline officers enhanced their understanding of what forensic services could do in supporting crime investigation to ultimately increase the conviction rate.

Over the past few years, there had been “unsatisfactory reports around how courts could not finalise cases on the court roll, including the reasons for postponement of cases in criminal courts and all these were attributed to the forensic delays”.

“However we are now beginning to experience a positive turn-around strategy. What becomes important is to ensure that we sustain these best practices, continue to capacitate this division, and ensure that it continues to become an additional arsenal in the fight against crime,” Mthethwa said.

In a statement later, the Democratic Alliance’s Dianne Kohler Barnard said the increase in cases sent to the forensic laboratories was a clear indication that crime “is up massively in South Africa”, but equally that the SAPS needed to increase the number of forensic science laboratories.

The new state-of-the-art Forensic Lab in Plattekloof, Cape Town

Case backlog

Only four forensic science laboratories fell under SAPS. These labs had to deal with cases from all nine provinces.

“Nor can one discount the fact that much of the crime-related laboratory work goes to the utterly dysfunctional forensic chemistry laboratories that fall under the health ministry,” she said.

While the SAPS had worked hard to reduce the backlog of cases over the past few years, decreasing it to just over 3 000, the tide seemed to have turned once again.

“It is past time that the minister focused on this division and ensure that the ministry plans for more forensic science laboratories to be established,” Kohler Barnard said.

Science Café: 14 November 2012

Vanessa and I were asked to help facilitate a Science Café, entitled “A Date with DNA”, organised by the University of Zululand Science Centre in Richards Bay in KZN. This was an entirely new and exciting experience for us. The afternoon started off with Derek from the Science Centre giving us a fun tour of all the exhibits – we were like kids and tried out many of the enchanting and educational activities they have on display. If ever you are in Richards Bay, it is well worth a visit. Have a look at their website www.unizulsc.com.

Vanessa Lynch and Carolyn Hancock in Richards Bay

That evening the Science Café took place at the Elephant and I coffee shop in Richard’s bay and was well attended by members of the public. The café was “decorated” with our DNA CSI crime scene posters as well as wonderful table decorations of the DNA double helix. A mock crime scene was also laid out and our crime scene tape put to good use as an excellent way of demarking a crime scene. I started with an introduction to the science behind DNA profiling and a short discussion on the aims of the DNA Project and the benefits of DNA evidence in crime detection and resolution. Vanessa then completed the initial part of the evening by talking about her personal role as the founder of the DNA Project, the value of DNA as a criminal intelligence tool and the importance of crime scene preservation. She also touched on the urgent need for changes to the South African legislation (Criminal Procedures Act).

Carolyn and Vanessa with the UZ Science Centre Team

After everyone had a break and enjoyed the snacks on offer the floor was opened to questions and a good discussion ensued on a range of issues such as what the public should do if they have to wait for the SAPS forensic investigators to arrive, the current status of the legislation, ethical concerns regarding the use of DNA profiling and a database and a little more of the science. We both really enjoyed the evening and found the “café” type event an exciting, informal way in which to create DNA awareness in our communities. A big thank you from us to everyone at the Science Centre for setting up this informative event.

Carolyn

Johannesburg – The DNA of a man accused of murdering a Pretoria North woman was found at the crime scene, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.

Forensic expert Major Shamil Govan testified that Sipho Masiqa’s DNA was found on a cigarette butt at the murder scene.

“The chance of someone else having this DNA is one in 6.8 trillion people,” he told the court, adding that the world’s population was about seven billion.

“We expect to see this DNA profile again if there were 1 000 earths. The DNA is the same in all areas. It is a match.”

Masiqa, 34, Raymond Matshaba, 27 and Bradley Molefe, 34, are accused of murdering Thifhelimbilu Mashau, her 8-month-old baby Avheani, and her 4-year-old daughter Adivhaho in their home in July 2010.

They have pleaded not guilty to the murders, and to charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and rape.

No sperm, blood

The State alleges they strangled the two children and robbed their mother of her car and other goods at their Theresa Park home, before taking her to Ga-Rankuwa, where they raped and murdered her.

Govan also testified about condoms found at Mashau’s house.

“Despite multiple analysis of each of the condoms, not enough DNA or no DNA, could be found on them.” The condoms tested negative for sperm and blood.

During proceedings on Wednesday, former Constable Simon Tswai testified that he arrested Molefe on August 4 2010 in Ga-Rankuwa.

He said he read him his rights and questioned him about items stolen from Mashau’s house.

Molefe told him they were hidden under a bridge on the M17 in Shoshanguve and they drove to the location. “He then pointed out those things to me under the bridge,” Tswai said.

They found a DVD player and parts of a home sound system.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Mashau’s car was chopped up, that some parts were sold and that the rest of the vehicle was burnt within a day of her murder.

This article first appeared in www.news24.com on the 2012-11-07

If you live in the Durban area and want to stand up for No Violence against Women and Children during the 16 days of activism which runs between the 25th November and 10th December 2012, please help ‘grow’ their Garden of Hope and Healing by collecting plastic bottles which will be transformed into “flowers” – an enduring symbol of rebirth and commemoration – to be “planted” in the specially-created Garden of Hope and Healing at Durban Botanic Gardens for the duration of the 16 Days campaign. Each flower will honour a victim or a survivor of abuse, or be a visual pledge of working towards a world without rape and violence.

Nokuthula Cele - volunteer: Sydenham Community Resource Centre

How can you help?

Garden of Hope and Healing
Project: 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, 2012
25 November – 10 December 2012

Calling for Empty Plastic Bottles!

We want your empty 2 litre cool drink bottles with lids and 2 litre white milk cartons, for a wonderful art project to take place at Botanic Gardens for 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children!

Please drop off your empty, cleaned, bottles at either of two collection points – the Visitor’s Centre in the Durban Botanic Gardens or at Diakonia Council of Churches in Diakonia Ave in the city’s CBD.

The Garden of Hope and Healing is an innovative collaboration between eThekwini Municipality’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) working with Diakonia Council of Church’s Thursdays in Black Campaign, Sydenham Resource Centre, Durban Botanic Gardens, PRC Men’s Forum and various like-minded NGOs.

The flowers will all be made from waste plastic – sending out a strong recycling message that discarded waste can be transformed into something of beauty and value.

A series of workshops will be hosted by Sydenham Resource Centre ahead of the campaign. There will also be flower-making workshops at Durban Botanic Gardens for the duration of the 16 days campaign.  Members of the public are welcome to participate in the flower-making workshops and contribute their flowers to the garden. Workshops for large groups / corporates / NGOs can be run on request.
As part of the project, there will be an exhibition and resource material offering information and support to those affected by violence against women and children, and there will be a programme of discussions, workshops and events to generate an increase level of awareness amongst South Africans relating to the incidence of violence against women and children, how it manifests itself within South African society,  the negative impact on these  vulnerable groups and to  challenge perpetrators of these offences to change their behaviour.

Nomfundo Ngcobo – volunteer: Sydenham Community Resource Centre

The garden will also feature “a Bottle Tree” with hundreds of messages sealed in tiny glass bottles, from the PRC Men’s Forum, and there will be a symbolic “Washing Line” with black garments – paying tribute toThursdays in Black, a programme run by Diakonia Council of Churches to encourage men and women to wear black every Thursday to raise awareness around issues of gender justice, violence against women and corrective rape.

For more information about the campaign, contact Illa Thompson on illa@pubmat.co.za / 031 2011 638. For more information about the flower-making workshops, contact Dawn or Merle from the Sydenham Community Resource Centre on 031 207 4393.