2015 International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI)

Oct 12th, 2015

In its 26th year, ISHI is the largest conference on forensic DNA analysis in the world and will take place from October 12 – October 15, in Grapevine, Texas (US).

Following her presentation at last year’s ISHI, Vanessa was invited to return this year and will be presenting a talk (Wednesday, October 14) entitled “Investigation of a Ruthless Rapist” – which will focus on the identification and conviction of Albert Morake, a ruthless South African serial rapist who committed 30 rapes between 2007 until his capture in 2012.

This year’s keynote speaker is Kirk Bloodsworth, the first person to be exonerated from death row through post-conviction DNA testing, and will open the symposium by sharing his story. Bloodsworth spent nine years in prison and more than two years on death row before DNA evidence identified the true perpetrator of the 1984 rape and murder for which he was imprisioned. Today, Bloodsworth is an advocate for the wrongfully convicted and speaks publicly to highlight the risk of wrongful convictions and dangers of the death penalty.

ISHI 26 includes presentations from leading professionals in the fields of forensic DNA analysis, genomics, forensic anthropology, medical molecular diagnostics, law enforcement and more.

Filmmaker Alexa Barrett and Sara Huston Katsanis, a Science & Society Initiative Instructor at Duke University, will be presenting The Living Disappeared, an exploration of how DNA is being used to prevent child trafficking. Their presentation will include a brief preview of Barrett’s film by the same name.

Phenotyping, which utilizes DNA evidence to help predict what a suspect might look like, will be explored from multiple angles. Ellen Greytak, Director of Bioinformatics at Parabon NanoLabs, will present DNA Phenotyping: Predicting Ancestry and Physical Appearance from Forensic DNA, and David Ballard, a research associate in forensic genetics and senior scientist at King’s College London, will present DNA Phenotyping: What Can and Should We Predict?

Other presenters include: Marie Allen (Uppsala University, Sweden), Bruce Budowle (Institute of Applied Genetics), Thomas Callaghan (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Douglas Hares (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Rock Harmon (retired, Alameda County District Attorney’s Office), George Herrin (Georgia Bureau of Investigation), CeCe Moore (Institute for Genetic Genealogy), Fredy Peccerelli (Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala) and Jim Thomson (LGC).

This year’s event also includes more than 140 scientific posters including a submission by Colleen Fitzpatrick, a forensic genealogist, who will share her work exposing false Holocaust accounts. Fitzpatrick is also collaborating on the recently re-opened “Somerton Man” case, which involves the exhumation of a 45-year-old John Doe who died under mysterious circumstances and washed up on a beach fully clothed in Adelaide, Australia, in 1948.

In addition to the 3-day series of general session presentations, optional small group workshops are available, including:

  • Analyzing and Utilizing Data from Next-Generation Sequencers in the Forensic Genomics Era
  • Forensic Mixtures: Assessment, Analysis and Technology: Current Methods, New Approaches and Disruptive Technologies
  • Advanced Methods for DNA Based Identification of Skeletal Remains Countdown to 2017: Internal Validation of the New CODIS Loci
  • DNA Identification Strategies for Skeletal Remains and Other Challenging Samples

A complete list of workshops, speaker biographies, the ISHI blog and ongoing program updates are available at the symposium website: www.ishinews.com.

This symposium for forensic experts and suppliers is offered through Promega Corporation, a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA, with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information about Promega, visit www.promega.com.

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Can you determine race from a fingerprint?

Sep 30th, 2015

For years, forensic scientists have studied differences between latent fingerprints and have used this information to identify unique patterns. Now, a new study takes a closer look at the minutiae of fingerprints and has come to an astounding conclusion: latent prints can provide clues to a person’s race.

The study in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology takes a new anthropological angle on a key identification method which may hold promise for law enforcement – and which has already attracted attention from several agencies, according to the researchers from North Carolina State University.

“By studying variation between groups, such as sexes and ancestry groups, on the basis of minutiae, this study provides information that is useful to latent fingerprint examiners,” said Nichole Fournier, lead author of the study, in an email to Forensic Magazine. “The results show that minutiae can tell us the probable ancestry of a person who leaves behind a latent fingerprint.”

The right index fingers of 243 individuals – split equally by gender, and between African-American and European-American backgrounds – were analyzed in the study. Level 1 details are pattern types and ridge counts.

But researchers focused on the Level 2 differences, which include bifurcations, where the ridge splits. These more-detailed factors were cross-referenced against the group’s identities. Gender did not result in significant differences in the prints – but race did, the scientists found.

“This is the first study to look at this issue at this level of detail, and the findings are extremely promising,” said Ann Ross, a North Carolina State professor of anthropology and the senior author of the study.

“But more work needs to be done,” Ross added. “We need to look at a much-larger sample size and evaluate individuals from more diverse ancestral backgrounds.”

The work, in part, answers the call of a scathing 2009 National Academy of Sciences report which called for further scientific research into forensic evidence collection and analysis, Fournier said. Fingerprints were one of the disciplines which were singled out in that report.

“Our study was in response to that call to action,” said Fournier.

Previous work by anthropologists had not been relevant to forensics because pattern type is not a trait used in fingerprint comparisons to identify latent prints at crime scenes, she added.

But now a more-complete picture of fingerprints could be coming into focus, Fournier said.

“This information is valuable evidence to corroborate the conclusion of a match based on a point-by-point comparison by a latent fingerprint examiner,” she said.

Other recent fingerprint advances have used mass spectrometry to hone in on trace amounts of material on the fingerprint, including narcotics, or hormones which could indicate gender. But they have not focused on the print pattern itself.

SOURCE: This article was first published by Forensic Magazine on 29 September 2015

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DNA Detective Prof Valerie Corfield explaining DNA technology

Sep 16th, 2015

Our very own and the original ‘DNA Detective’ Prof Valerie Corfield explains how applications of DNA technology are used to solve crimes in the following video created by the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) as part of a series on basic biotechnology.

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South Africa’s first Women in Law and Leadership Summit

Aug 31st, 2015

UPDATED: Please note that the 2-day event has been finalised and changed to a 1-day programme and will now take place on Sept 18 only.

UCTLaw@Work in partnership with the Centre for Integrative Law will be presenting South Africa’s first Women in Law & Leadership Summit: Finding New Ways for Women to Lead in Law this September (18th).

Vanessa has been invited to speak at the event and will be joining fellow panelists Sally Hutton and Janet Taylor-Hall for ‘Barrier Breakers: Inspirational Stories of Women Who Broke New Ground‘.

The summit has been structured as a much needed space in which women lawyers can be inspired, uplifted, supported and challenged.  It convenes preeminent women in law including law firm partners and associates, in-house counsel, advocates, NPO lawyers and academics open to sharing their stories. It is not a series of talks on “how I made partner.” Instead, we’ll be asking speakers to go a little deeper. This 1 day event is structured into panels and facilitated group discussions which include sessions on:

  • Do women lead differently from men? If so, how does this play out in the legal profession?
  • To close the pay gap you need to know your worth
  • Women who have broken new ground
  • Do we overvalue competence and undervalue confidence?
  • Managing career transitions in law
  • Developing your skills as a rainmaker

Panellists include:

  • Vanessa Lynch, Director of the DNA Project
  • Sally Hutton, Managing Partner, Webber Wentzel
  • Vivienne Lawack, Dep Vice Chancellor, UWC
  • Terry Winstanley, Director, DLACDH
  • Beverley Clark, Director, Clark Attorneys
  • Shelley Mackay-Davidson, Partner at The Bannister Group
  • Melanie Holderness, Advocate at the Cape Bar
  • Lerato Molefe, Attorney & Director of Naaya Consulting
  • Janet Taylor-Hall, owner of Cognia Law
  • Angela Simpson, Partner, Head of Talent Management, Webber Wentzel
  • Wendy Applebaum, Philanthropist and businesswoman
  • Robyn Hey, Director, HWD Attorneys
  • Candice Pillay, Director, Hogan Lovells

Date: Friday 18 September 2015

Venue: the River Club, Observatory

Cost:

Lawyers in private practice & In House Counsel: R1995

Public Service & NPO lawyers: R1595

Full Time Law Students: R500

Please enquire about group discounts

Email Enquiries: andrea.blaauw@uct.ac.za

To register through UCT’s Law@work Division: please click HERE

TO SEE THE PROGRAM FIRST: please click HERE

Email queries: andrea.blaauw@uct.ac.za

Website: www.integrativelaw.co.za

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SAPS Forensic Services: Available Posts – August 2015

Aug 24th, 2015

New posts within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Services Division, under the Public Service Act, have been added to their website and are currently being advertised for August 2015 – http://www.saps.gov.za/careers/careers.php.

CLOSING DATE for all applications: 04 September 2015

PUBLIC SERVICE ACT POSTS

Click here to read the application process in terms of the Public Service Act.

Please download the full advertisement for all the new Public Service Act posts, including full requirements, core responsibilities, salary level and how to apply (PDF).

Download the official application form from the SAPS website.

The following posts are available:

FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY

1. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Case Reception and Registration
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Silverton: Pretoria (3 Posts) (Ref FS 700/2015)

2. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Exhibit Management
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Silverton: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 701/2015)

3. Post: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Case Management
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Ballistics Section: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 702/2015)
  • Scientific Analysis Section: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 703/2015)
  • Chemistry Section: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 704/2015)
  • Amanzimtoti: Kwazulu-Natal (3 Posts) (Ref FS 705/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (6 Posts) (Ref FS 706/2015)

4. Post: Warrant Officer
Discipline: CCTV Operators: Supply Chain Management
Section: Nodal Support
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Silverton: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 707/2015)
  • Arcadia: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 708/2015)
  • Piet Joubert Building: Pretoria (3 Posts) (Ref FS 709/2015)
  • Amanzimtoti: Kwazulu-Natal (6 Posts) (Ref FS 710/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 711/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (4 Posts) (Ref FS 712/2015)

Component: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:

  • Bothongo Plaza: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 713/2015)
  • Local Criminal Record Centre: Witbank (2 Posts) (Ref FS 714/2015)

5. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: IBIS
Section: Ballistics
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Silverton: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 715/2015)

6. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Ballistics Analysis
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Silverton: Pretoria (5 Posts) (Ref FS 716/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 717/2015)
  • Amanzimtoti: Kwazulu-Natal (6 Posts) (Ref FS 718/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 719/2015)

7. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub-Section: Mechanical & Metallurgical Engineering
Section: Regional Laboratory: Western Cape
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 720/2015)

8. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: DNA Analysis
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Arcadia: Pretoria (30 Posts) (Ref FS 721/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (10 Posts) (Ref FS 722/2015)
  • Amanzimtoti: Kwazulu-Natal (5 Posts) (Ref FS 723/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 724/2015)

9. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Archiving: Archives and Disposals
Section: Chemistry
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Silverton: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 725/2015)

10.  Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub-Section: Drugs General: Chemical Analysis
Section: Chemistry
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Silverton: Pretoria (3 Posts) (Ref FS 726/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 727/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (11 Posts) (Ref FS 728/2015)

11. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Fire Investigation: Chemistry Investigation
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Silverton: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 729/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 730/2015)

12. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub Section: Environmental Crimes: Material Analysis
Section: Scientific Analysis
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Silverton: Pretoria (6 Posts) (Ref FS 731/2015)

13. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub Section: Image Analysis: Scientific Analysis
Section: Regional Laboratory: Western Cape
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Plattekloof: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 732/2015)

14. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Questioned Document Analysis
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Piet Joubert Building: Pretoria (3 Posts) (Ref FS 733/2015)
  • Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 734/2015)
  • Amanzimtoti: Kwazulu-Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 735/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 736/2015)

15. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub-Section: Ante Mortem Facilitation
Section: Victim Identification Centre
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 737/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 738/2015)

16. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub Section: Post Mortem Facilitation: Crime Scene & Victim Recovery
Section: Victim Identification Centre
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 739/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 740/2015)

17. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Forensic Anthropology: Specialized Identification Services
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post:

  • Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 741/2015)
  • Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 742/2015)

18. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub Section: Facial Reconstruction: Specialized Identification Services
Section: Victim Identification Centre
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 743/2015)

19. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub Section: Forensic Entomology: Specialized Identification Services
Section: Victim Identification Centre
Component: Forensic Science Laboratory
Location of the post: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 744/2015)

CRIMINAL RECORD & CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT:

20. Post Title: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Crime Scene Laboratory
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:

  • Makhado: Limpopo (2 Posts) (Ref FS 745/2015)
  • Ermelo: Mpumalanga (1 Post) (Ref FS 746/2015)
  • Bellville: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 747/2015)
  • Cape Town: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 748/2015)
  • Mitchells Plain: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 749/2015)
  • Oudtshoorn: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 750/2015)
  • Jeffreysbay: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 751/2015)
  • King Williamstown: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 752/2015)
  • Mthatha: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 753/2015)
  • Mount Road: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 754/2015)

21. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: Police Clearance: Criminal Information Centre
Section: Centralized CRC
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 755/2015)

22. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: Record Tracing
Section: Centralized CRC
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (4 Posts) (Ref FS 756/2015)

23. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: Electronic Archiving: Archives
Section: Criminalistic Bureau
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 757/2015)

24. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: AFIS Coordination: Fingerprint Database Management
Section: Criminalistic Bureau
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 758/2015)

25. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: FIPS Coordination: Adjudication & Expungement
Section: Criminalistic Bureau
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office:: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 759/2015)

26. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Crime Scene Investigation
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:  Provincial CR & CSM:

  • Bloemfontein: Free State (2 Posts) (Ref FS 760/2015)
  • Johannesburg: Gauteng (1 Post) (Ref FS 761/2015)
  • Potchefstroom: North West (2 Posts) (Ref FS 762/2015)

27. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: Priority Crime Investigation
Discipline: Crime Scene Investigation
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 763/2015)

28. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Sub-Section: Priority Crime Investigation
Discipline: Crime Scene Investigation
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 764/2015)

29. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Crime Scene Investigation
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:
National Office:

  • Pretoria (2 posts) (Ref FS 765/2015)

Eastern Cape Province:

  • Cradock (1 Post) (Ref FS 766/2015)
  • East London (3 Posts) (Ref FS 767/2015)
  • Grahamstown (2 Posts) (Ref FS 768/2015)
  • Uitenhage (3 Posts) (Ref FS 769/2015)
  • Mthatha (3 Posts) (Ref FS 770/2015)
  • Mount Road (3 Posts) (Ref FS 771/2015)

Free State Province:

  • Park Road (5 Posts) (Ref FS 772/2015)
  • Welkom (3 Posts) (Ref FS 773/2015)
  • Selosesha (1 Post) (Ref FS 774/2015)
  • Kroonstad (1 Post) (Ref FS 775/2015)

Gauteng Province:

  • Ga-Rankuwa (6 Posts) (Ref FS 776/2015)
  • Kempton Park (4 Posts) (Ref FS 777/2015)
  • Pretoria North (2 Posts) (Ref FS 778/2015)
  • Vereeniging (2 Posts) (Ref FS 779/2015)
  • Johannesburg (2 Posts) (Ref FS 780/2015)
  • Krugersdorp (2 Posts) (Ref FS 781/2015)

KwaZulu Natal Province:

  • Durban (4 Posts) (Ref FS 782/2015)
  • Kokstad (2 Posts) (Ref FS 783/2015)
  • Ladysmith (3 Posts) (Ref FS 784/2015)
  • Mtubatuba (1 Post) (Ref FS 785/2015)
  • Newcastle (1 Post) (Ref FS 786/2015)
  • Nqutu (2 Posts) (Ref FS 787/2015)
  • Pietermaritzburg (2 Posts) (Ref FS 788/2015)
  • Port Shepstone (1 Post) (Ref FS 789/2015)
  • Richards Bay (1 Post) (Ref FS 790/2015)
  • Ulundi (2 Posts) (Ref FS 791/2015)
  • Vryheid (1 Post) (Ref FS 792/2015)

Limpopo Province:

  • Groblersdal (2 Posts) (Ref FS 793/2015)
  • Lebowakgomo (2 Posts) (Ref FS 794/2015)
  • Lephalale (1 Post) (Ref FS 795/2015)
  • Modimolle (1 Post) (Ref FS 796/2015)
  • Musina (2 Posts) (Ref FS 797/2015)
  • Thohoyandou (2 Posts) (Ref FS 798/2015)
  • Tzaneen (4 Posts) (Ref FS 799/2015)

Mpumalanga Province:

  • Nelspruit (2 Posts) (Ref FS 800/2015)
  • Witbank (3 Posts) (Ref FS 801/2015)
  • Secunda (1 Post) (Ref FS 802/2015)
  • Ermelo (2 Posts) (Ref FS 803/2015)
  • Lydenburg (2 Posts) (Ref FS 804/2015)
  • Acornhoek (1 Post) (Ref FS 805/2015)
  • Elukwatini (2 Posts) (Ref FS 806/2015)

North West Province:

  • Rustenburg (5 Posts) (Ref FS 807/2015)
  • Brits (4 Posts) (Ref FS 808/2015)
  • Vryburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 809/2015)
  • Mmabatho (3 Posts) (Ref FS 812/2015)
  • Potchefstroom (2 Posts) (Ref FS 813/2015)
  • Klerksdorp (2 Posts) (Ref FS 810/2015)
  • Lichtenburg (2 Posts) (Ref FS 811/2015)

Northern Cape Province:

  • Kimberley (2 Posts) (Ref FS 814/2015)
  • Upington (4 Posts) (Ref FS 815/2015)
  • Kuruman (2 Posts) (Ref FS 816/2015)
  • Kakamas (2 Posts) (Ref FS 817/2015)
  • Calvinia (1 Post) (Ref FS 818/2015)

Western Cape Province:

  • Bellville (2 Posts) (Ref FS 819/2015)
  • Cape Town (2 Posts) (Ref FS 820/2015)
  • Mitchells Plain (2 Posts) (Ref FS 821/2015)
  • George (1 Post) (Ref FS 822/2015)
  • Paarl (1 Post) (Ref FS 823/2015)
  • Somerset West (1 Post) (Ref FS 824/2015)
  • Vredenburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 825/2015)
  • Worcester (1 Post) (Ref FS 826/2015)
  • Oudtshoorn (1 Post) (Ref FS 827/2015)
  • Vredendal (1 Post) (Ref FS 828/2015)

30. Post Title: Warrant Officer
Discipline: Criminalistic Bureau
Component: Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:
Eastern Cape Province:

  • Aliwal North (1 Post) (Ref FS 829/2015)
  • Cradock (1 Post) (Ref FS 830/2015)
  • East London (1 Post) (Ref FS 831/2015)
  • Graaff-Reinet (1 Post) (Ref FS 832/2015)
  • Grahamstown (1 Post) (Ref FS 833/2015)
  • Jeffreysbay (1 Post) (Ref FS 834/2015)
  • King William’s Town (1 Post) (Ref FS 835/2015)
  • Middelburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 836/2015)
  • Queenstown (1 Post) (Ref FS 837/2015)
  • Uitenhage (1 Post) (Ref FS 838/2015)
  • Mthatha (1 Post) (Ref FS 839/2015)
  • Mount Road (1 Post) (Ref FS 840/2015)

Free State Province:

  • Park Road (1 Post) (Ref FS 841/2015)
  • Welkom (1 Post) (Ref FS 842/2015)
  • Kroonstad (1 Post) (Ref FS 843/2015)
  • Bethlehem (1 Post) (Ref FS 844/2015)
  • Phudatjithaba (1 Post) (Ref FS 845/2015)
  • Zamdela (1 Post) (Ref FS 846/2015)
  • Selosesha (1 Post) (Ref FS 847/2015)

KwaZulu Natal Province:

  • Durban (2 Posts) (Ref FS 848/2015)
  • Kokstad (1 Post) (Ref FS 849/2015)
  • Ladysmith (2 Posts) (Ref FS 850/2015)
  • Newcastle (1 Post) (Ref FS 851/2015)
  • Pietermaritzburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 852/2015)
  • Port Shepstone (1 Post) (Ref FS 853/2015)
  • Richards Bay (1 Post) (Ref FS 854/2015)
  • Vryheid (1 Post) (Ref FS 855/2015)

Limpopo Province:

  • Polokwane (1 Post) (Ref FS 856/2015)
  • Giyani (1 Post) (Ref FS 857/2015)
  • Lebowakgomo (1 Post) (Ref FS 858/2015)
  • Lephalale (1 Post) (Ref FS 859/2015)
  • Makhado (1 Post) (Ref FS 860/2015)
  • Modimolle (1 Post) (Ref FS 861/2015)
  • Mokopane (1 Post) (Ref FS 862/2015)
  • Musina (1 Post) (Ref FS 863/2015)
  • Phalalborwa (1 Post) (Ref FS 864/2015)
  • Thabazimbi (1 Post) (Ref FS 865/2015)
  • Thohoyandou (1 Post) (Ref FS 866/2015)
  • Tzaneen (1 Post) (Ref FS 867/2015)

Mpumalanga Province:

  • Middelburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 868/2015)
  • Nelspruit (1 Post) (Ref FS 869/2015)
  • Witbank (1 Post) (Ref FS 870/2015)
  • Kwamahlanga (1 Post) (Ref FS 871/2015)
  • Secunda (1 Post) (Ref FS 872/2015)
  • Ermelo (1 Post) (Ref FS 873/2015)

North West Province:

  • Potchefstroom (1 Post) (Ref FS 874/2015)
  • Pudimoe (1 Post) (Ref FS 875/2015)
  • Brits (1 Post) (Ref FS 876/2015)
  • Vryburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 877/2015)
  • Klerksdorp (1 Post) (Ref FS 878/2015)
  • Lichtenburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 879/2015)
  • Mmabatho (1 Post) (Ref FS 880/2015)
  • Provincial CR & CSM: Potchefstroom (1 Post) (Ref FS 881/2015)

Northern Cape Province:

  • Provincial CR & CSM: Kimberley (2 Posts) (Ref FS 882/2015)
  • Kimberley (2 Posts) (Ref FS 883/2015)
  • Upington (2 Posts) (Ref FS 884/2015)
  • Kuruman (2 Posts) (Ref FS 885/2015)

Western Cape Province:

  • Provincial CR & CSM: Cape Town (2 Posts) (Ref FS 886/2015)
  • Bellville (1 Post) (Ref FS 887/2015)
  • Cape Town (1 Post) (Ref FS 888/2015)
  • Mitchells Plain (1 Post) (Ref FS 889/2015)
  • George (1 Post) (Ref FS 890/2015)
  • Paarl (1 Post) (Ref FS 891/2015)
  • Somerset West (1 Post) (Ref FS 892/2015)
  • Vredenburg (1 Post) (Ref FS 893/2015)
  • Worcester (1 Post) (Ref FS 894/2015)
  • Beaufort West (1 Post) (Ref FS 895/2015)

31. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub-Section: Facial Identification: Crime Scene Investigation
Component: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management
Location of the post:

  • Modimolle: Limpopo (1 Post) (Ref FS 896/2015)
  • Thohoyandou: Limpopo (1 Post) (Ref FS 897/2015)

32. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Environmental Compliance
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post:

  • Questioned Documents: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 898/2015)
  • Chemistry: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 899/2015)
  • Ballistics: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 900/2015)
  • Crime Scene Management: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 901/2015)

33. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Quality Assurance
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post:

  • Arcadia: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 902/2015)
  • Ballistics: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 903/2015)
  • Criminalistic Bureau: National Office: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 904/2015)
  • Crime Scene Management: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 905/2015)
  • Explosives: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 906/2015)

Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management:

  • King William’s Town: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 907/2015)
  • Bloemfontein: Free State (1 Post) (Ref FS 908/2015)
  • Johannesburg: Gauteng (1 Post) (Ref FS 909/2015)
  • Durban: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 910/2015)
  • Polokwane: Limpopo (1 Post) (Ref FS 911/2015)
  • Middelburg: Mpumalanga (1 Post) (Ref FS 912/2015)
  • Potchefstroom: North West (1 Post) (Ref FS 913/2015)
  • Cape Town: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 914/2015)

34. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Quality Control
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post:

  • Crime Scene Laboratories: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 915/2015)
  • Crime Scene Management: National Office: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 916/2015)

Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management:

  • King William’s Town: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 917/2015)
  • Bloemfontein: Free State (1 Post) (Ref FS 918/2015)
  • Johannesburg: Gauteng (1 Post) (Ref FS 919/2015)
  • Durban: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 920/2015)
  • Polokwane: Limpopo (1 Post) (Ref FS 921/2015)
  • Middelburg: Mpumalanga (1 Post) (Ref FS 922/2015)
  • Kimberly: Northern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 923/2015)
  • Potchefstroom: North West (1 Post) (Ref FS 924/2015)
  • Cape Town: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 925/2015)

Regional Laboratory:

  • Biology: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 926/2015)
  • Chemistry: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 927/2015)
  • Ballistics: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 928/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 929/2015)
  • Biology: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 930/2015)
  • Chemistry: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 931/2015)
  • Biology: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 932/2015)
  • Chemistry: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 933/2015)
  • Ballistics: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 934/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 935/2015)

35. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Technical Management
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post:

  • Chemistry: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 936/2015)
  • Biology: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 937/2015)
  • Ballistics: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 938/2015)
  • Scientific Analysis: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 939/2015)

Regional Laboratory:

  • Biology: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 940/2015)
  • Chemistry: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 941/2015)
  • Ballistics: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 942/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 943/2015)
  • Ballistics: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (2 Posts) (Ref FS 944/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 947/2015)
  • Ballistics: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 948/2015)
  • Chemistry: Plattekloof: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 949/2015)
  • Biology: Plattekloof: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 950/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1Post) (Ref FS 951/2015)
  • Chemistry: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (2 Posts) (Ref FS 945/2015)
  • Biology: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 946/2015)

Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management:

  • King William’s Town: Eastern Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 952/2015)
  • Bloemfontein: Free State (2 Posts) (Ref FS 953/2015)
  • Johannesburg: Gauteng (2 Posts) (Ref FS 954/2015)
  • Durban: KwaZulu Natal (2 Posts) (Ref FS 955/2015)
  • Polokwane: Limpopo (2 Posts) (Ref FS 956/2015)
  • Middelburg: Mpumalanga (2 Posts) (Ref FS 957/2015)
  • Kimberly: Northern Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 958/2015)
  • Potchefstroom: North West (2 Posts) (Ref FS 959/2015)
  • Cape Town: Western Cape (2 Posts) (Ref FS 960/2015)

36. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Forensic Awareness
Section: Development Facilitation
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post:

  • Scientific Analysis: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 961/2015)
  • Victim Identification Centre: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 962/2015)

Regional Laboratory:

  • Ballistics: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 963/2015)
  • Chemistry: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 964/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 965/2015)
  • Chemistry: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 966/2015)
  • Biology: Amanzimtoti: KwaZulu Natal (1 Post) (Ref FS 967/2015)
  • Chemistry: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 968/2015)
  • Ballistics: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 969/2015)
  • Questioned Documents: Plattekloof: Western Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 970/2015)

Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management:

  • Kimberly: Northern Cape (1 Post) (Ref FS 971/2015)

37. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Discipline: Lead Investigation
Section: Forensic Database Management
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post: Arcadia: Pretoria (7 Posts) (Ref FS 972/2015)

38. Post: Forensic Analyst (Warrant Officer)
Sub-Section: Client Notification Services: Reporting & Liaison
Section: Forensic Database Management
Component: Quality Management
Location of the post: Arcadia: Pretoria (2 Posts) (Ref FS 973/2015)

SUPPORT SERVICES:

39. Post Title: Assistant Administration Officer (Sergeant)
Section: Support Services
Location of the post: Arcadia: Pretoria (1 Post) (Ref FS 974/2015)

GENERAL:

  • Only the official application form (available on the SAPS website and at SAPS recruitment offices) will be accepted. The Z83 previously utilized will no longer be accepted. All instructions on the application form must be adhered to and all previous/pending criminal/disciplinary convictions must be declared. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of the application.
  • The post particulars and reference number of the post must be correctly specified on the application form. A separate application form must be completed for each post.
  • A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae must be submitted together with the application form.
  • Certified copies (certification preferably by Police Officers) of an applicant’s ID document, motor vehicle driver’s license (Police Act appointments), Senior Certificate and all educational qualifications obtained together with the academic record (statement of results) thereof and service certificates of previous employers stating the occupation and the period, must also be submitted and attached to every application. The copies must be correctly certified on the copy itself, not at the back. The certification must not be older than three months. All qualifications and driver’s licenses submitted will be subjected to verification checking with the relevant institutions.
  • CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO INITIAL EACH AND EVERY PAGE OF THE APPLICATION FORM, CV AND ALL ANNEXURES.
  • The closing date for the applications is 2015-09-04. Applications must be mailed timeously. Late applications will not be accepted or considered.
  • Appointments will be made in terms of the SAPS Act or Public Service Act as applicable to the post environment.
  • If a candidate is short-listed, it can be expected of him/her to undergo a personal interview.
  • Successful applicants to be appointed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act no 68 of 1995) and applicants not yet appointed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act no 68 of 1995) will have to undergo a medical examination and found to be medically fit. They will further have to comply with the prescripts on the SAPS Dress Order, whereby tattoos may not be visible when wearing uniform, must be willing to undergo the prescribed Introductory Police Development Learning Programme and are expected to work flexi hours or shifts in the execution of their duties.
  • The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, Act 37 of 2013 requires that all new recruits (appointments) in the South African Police Service as from 31st of January 2015 provide a buccal sample in order to determine their forensic DNA profile. The forensic DNA profile derived from the sample will be loaded to the National Forensic DNA Database.
  • 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.
  • All short-listed candidates will be subjected to fingerprint screening. Candidates will be subjected to a vetting process which will include security screening and fingerprint verification.
  • Correspondence will be conducted with successful candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
  • The South African Police Service is under no obligation to fill a post after the advertisement thereof.
  • The South African Police Service is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and it is the intention to promote representivity in the Public Service through the filling of these posts. Persons whose transfer/appointment/promotion will promote representivity will therefore receive preference.

Applications and enquiries can be directed to:
Lt Colonel Klopper / Lt Moonsamy
Tel: (012) 421-0194
Tel: (012) 421-0584

Postal Address:
Private Bag X 322
PRETORIA
0001

Hand Delivery:
Cnr Beckett and Pretorius Street
Strelitzia Building
Arcadia

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Posted in Crime Scenes, Forensic Career, Latest News, Press | 5 Comments »

Identifying the Dead: Forensic Science and Human Identification online course

Aug 12th, 2015

Uncover a grave, examine remains and reveal the victim’s identity in this free online course, linked to a new Val McDermid story, that is being offered through FutureLearn.com by the University of Dundee.

Starting date: 7th of September 2015
Duration of course: 6-weeks
To register: Please visit https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/identifying-the-dead/

About the course

The first step in any investigation involving a death is to determine the identity of the deceased. This free online course will take you on a journey through the world of forensic anthropology, unveiling the tools that will allow you to reveal that identity.

Join forensic experts to identify the dead

In the shadow of Dundee’s Law Hill, a grim discovery demands the attention of forensic experts. Unidentified human remains have been found and the police need to identify the victim to move forward with their investigation.

After a meticulous recovery of the remains, it will be your job to:

  • document and attempt to explain any evidence of trauma;
  • identify the victim through biological profiling;
  • and undertake a facial reconstruction.

Experts from the University of Dundee’s award-winning Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHId) will guide you through the process of human identification.

They will introduce you to the fields of human identification; forensic anthropology and archaeology; craniofacial identification; and the study of the human body.

Evaluate evidence as the case unfolds

Week-by-week, the case will unfold, providing you with more information about the victim. You will be presented with theoretical material and hands-on learning opportunities, to evaluate the case information and use what you have learned, to piece together clues to the victim’s identity.

You will be able to discuss, with educators and others learners, your thoughts on the identity of the deceased, based on your evaluation of the evidence.

Get your own copy of the murder mystery

After you submit your evaluation of the victim’s identity, all will be revealed at the end of the final week. You can continue your journey into the life and death of our victim in your very own ebook copy of a specially-written murder mystery by international best-selling crime novelist Val McDermid.

Requirements

No special knowledge or previous experience of studying is required.

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Posted in Crime Scenes | 3 Comments »

Woman’s Day: Cape Town’s fearless females

Aug 4th, 2015

A look at six trailblazing Mother City ladies… The following is an excerpt from Cape Town Magazine’s recent article ahead of Women’s Day which features six stellar women – one of whom is our very own Vanessa Lynch…

On Thursday, 9 August 1956, 20 000 women of all races came together to challenge an oppressive government and petition against legislation that required “non-whites” to carry a pass, an identification document designed to curtail freedom of movement during Apartheid. Since the fall of the regime in 1994, the day has been annually commemorated as Women’s Day to highlight the strength and resilience of women during the resistance.

More recently, the South African public holiday’s raison d’etre has broadened – it’s no longer just a celebration of a single act of solidarity, but a day devoted to a more general recognition of the spirit and accomplishment of women. Furthermore, in the past few years, the occasion has been used as a rallying point in the fight for women’s rights.

Rape, domestic abuse and issues relating to gender inequality are still way too prevalent in a country that has come so far in the fight against discrimination, and the need to use the holiday as an instrument of advocacy and to shine the spotlight on the savvy sisters defying norms is paramount.

So, while there are thousands of courageous ladies showing the world how absolutely amazing women can be, we’ve narrowed our list down to a few in specialist fields – namely: arts and culture, winemaking, altruism, construction, the culinary arts and management consulting – who are flying the flag for the bright, the brainy and the brilliant and serving as a source of inspiration for the masses.

VANNESA LYNCH: DNA Project Founder & Creative Director

Following the murder of her father in 2004 and the blatant disregard and destruction of evidence containing DNA by the police, community members and other first-on-crime scene responders, Vanessa Lynch began to seek ways in which to meaningfully contribute towards the alleviation of crime in South Africa.

Driven by her own traumatic experience, this extraordinary woman embarked on a journey (for over a decade) where she founded an organisation that aimed 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. Introduce the DNA Project.

Where some may not have been able to find the strength, this incredible woman did and because of her determination and resilience (and her ability to forge relationships with police and government), we now have a pioneering new DNA Act on our statute books: The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act 37 of 2013 (DNA Act), which came into law on January 27, 2014 and into effect early this year on January 31, 2015. It is now mandatory for all arrested and convicted scheduled eight offenders to be swabbed for DNA and the results stored in the DNA database.

Currently, Vanessa also sits on the National Forensic and Oversight Ethics Board as the Deputy Chair. What’s more, just as the DNA Project has developed the Forensic Honours Degree at the UFS, which is also offered at UCT, UWC, MGI and soon UKZN, they have also begun to develop a subject outline for a “DNA and the Law” course for law students in an attempt to bridge the gap between science and law. Furthermore, the Innocence Project of South Africa (IPSA) has also recently been restructured and will be driven by the DNAP, the Wits Justice Project and UWC as a tripartite partnership, should the organisations bid for funding be successful.

Leading Ladies in Vanessa’s Life: “My Grandmother taught me things about life and the universe that would have shocked most at the time but have had a profound effect on my life – she warned me about global warming in the 70’s! An eccentric, non-conventional and unforgettable woman (not always for the right reasons!) who was way beyond her time. Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist who began a movement to reforest her country by paying poor women a few shillings to plant trees and who went on to become the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She started the Green Belt Movement – its mission was to plant trees across Kenya to fight erosion and to create firewood for fuel and jobs for women – to date 30 million trees in Africa have been planted and  nearly 900,000 women in Africa have been helped. It took her one tree to plant a forest, a philosophy that I have always lived by and her achievement shows how that is in fact possible.”

Read more – To view the full article published in Cape Town Magazine featuring all six fearless Cape Town women, please click here.

SOURCE: Cape Town Magazine

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Angels’ Care Crisis Centre Opening Invitation

Jul 27th, 2015

On the 1st of July the Angels’ Care Centre opened its doors to their new Crisis Centre in Howick – which is aimed at helping children who are victims of gender-based violence, abuse and neglect and a project the DNAP was very proud to be involved in as one of their many sponsors.

The Centre has kindly extended an invitation for the official opening on Monday, 3 August, at 10.30am; which will include a tour of the Crisis Centre as well as a short speech.

For those who would like to attend, please kindly RSVP the Centre: info@angelscare.co.za or 033 3306837

INVITATION:

Date: 3 August 2015

Time: 10.30am

Venue: 38 Morling Street, Howick, KZN

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ISHI 26: Under the Microscope – Vanessa Lynch

Jul 14th, 2015

Vanessa has very kindly been invited back to present a talk entitled “Investigation of the Muldersdrift Serial Rapist” at this year’s upcoming ISHI (International Symposium on Human Identification) conference being held in Grapevine, Texas, in the United States from the 12th – 15th of October.

The following is a short interview with Vanessa by ISHI for their “Under the Microscope” guest speaker feature.

How did you come to work in the field of forensics/DNA?
Bizarrely it was actually through the lack of DNA evidence being collected on my father’s crime scene that brought me to this work – that coupled with the words of Prof Berndt Brinkmann, a forensic scientist in Germany who is the father of a close friend of mine – after my father was murdered, Prof Brinkmann told me to send him any DNA evidence or even just evidence from my fathers crime scene to his lab in Germany so that he could test it for possible traces of DNA. Sadly all the evidence had been discarded – clothing, the bottle the killers had been drinking from and blood of the killers on the perimeter fence which was not collected. This  was then followed by the Prof’s question ‘does SA have a DNA database?’ – that really changed everything for me as I knew then that was exactly what we needed in SA: a DNA database coupled with greater crime scene awareness!

If you woke up tomorrow and this field no longer existed, what would you choose for a career?
I would apply to the United Nations to continue philanthropic work on a global scale.

What new technologies are you most excited about or where do you see the field heading in the next 10 years?
Bearing in mind that SA is still lagging behind somewhat in utilising the amazing developments in DNA profiling being applied in international criminal justice systems, I would say that currently for me, the most exciting technology in a  SA context would be the ability to differentiate between mixed profiles  – we have a huge problem with gang rape in SA and this would change the way in which these types of cases are resolved.

What was the most challenging or bizarre case that you’ve worked on?
I don’t work with cases as such, but have been exposed to many different cases through the work that I do. Probably the most bizarre case was when someone called me and told me that the police had found pieces of his father in a suitcase and was seeking advice as to what to do.

What person would you say has had the biggest influence on your life?
My father. It was because of his death that I now do what I do but also because of what he taught me in my life when he was alive that I believe I possessed the ability to do what I did after he was killed. The work of the DNA Project has changed me irrevocably in a way that would not have happened had my father still been alive. I am not saying that I would not have changed that but because it did happen, I know that this was what I was meant to do with my life.

Can you think of a specific example where ISHI has helped you in your career or with a case?
Without a doubt my first visit to ISHI last year exceeded my expectations in terms of what I learnt about this technology and the field of forensic DNA profiling, albeit I am not a scientist! The advances being made in DNA profiling insofar it relates to crime detection and resolution and the software available to achieve this are quite literally mind-blowing. Learning from a forum such as ISHI is unprecedented and it has  provided me with the ability to think strategically on how best to focus the work of the DNA Project in a way which will have the most impact going forward. Learning from other jurisdictions’ experiences and taking those lessons back to SA has helped enormously.

Who in the audience would benefit most from your talk?
It’s difficult to say, but because SA has such a high crime rate, possibly all disciplines would be able to calculate how best they would have approached the situation and what their result would have been or be based on what facilities and technologies are available to them at present. It will possibly provide the audience with some insight into their own situation and maybe even enable them to offer SA advice on how best to approach certain cases?

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the winnings?
Approach it in much the same way as I approached the work I had to do in the DNA Project: how do you eat an elephant? Bit by Bit – I would break it down into all the areas where I felt it was needed and apply it accordingly. I would love to be able to use it less as a straight donation than as a means to empower people to make a difference. I would actively seek ways to do that. And I would definitely use some of it to travel the world with my family!

If you were to have a theme song, what would it be?
An interesting question! We are about to look into the possibility of a local rapper in SA compiling a rap song about crime and how the culprits got away because the crime scene was disturbed …and of course how this could change if we learnt that we must not disturb a crime scene etc etc – its a great way of reaching and teaching communities through  song – a medium that SA communities love and resonate with. So watch this space and hopefully we will have a theme song with a difference that will make a difference to play at ISHI!

What would your ideal vacation be?
All new destinations are exciting for me, even if it’s not a vacation; so I can’t really say I have an ideal vacation – but my travels are usually quite energetic – I am not one to lie on the beach all day, however beautiful!

SOURCE: http://ishinews.com/under-the-microscope-vanessa-lynch/

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DNA Awareness Trainer wanted for KZN

Jul 7th, 2015


We are urgently looking for an additional DNA & Crime Scene Awareness Trainer to host our DNA CSI workshops in the KZN region.

DNA Project Team 2015

If you are passionate about forensics and fighting crime, are confident and presentable with great public speaking skills then please email us ASAP at info@dnaproject.co.za with your CV.

Please Note:

  • Preference will be given to someone with knowledge of genetics and/or forensics.

  • This is a part time position where you will be paid per workshop.

The closing date for all applications is Sunday the 12th of July 2015.

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