The below article came across my desk this morning – it resonated with me as I had a similar discussion at lunch yesterday – someone criticised the entire police force due to the actions of one officer . I found myself defending our SAPS as I have met so many good ‘cops’ that don’t get the recognition they deserve due to the bad behaviour of the ones that make it to the headlines. We are all guilty of often falling into the trap of painting everyone with the same brush – after reading this article, perhaps take some time to think of the good ‘cops’ out there, who do great work, and who deserve some recognition for that from us all every now and again.

Vanessa

This article, written by Justin Foxton,  first appeared in The Mercury on Monday 29th April 2013

Of all the many things that America does well; democracy, hamburgers, bottomless soda and happy endings – it does overkill best of all.
The response to the Boston Marathon bombings – a dreadful and deplorable act of terrorism no doubt – was like something out of a Hollywood action flick starring Chuck Norris or Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Boston – a city with a population of over 600 thousand people and a land area of more than 125 square kilometres – was locked down until an all out manhunt saw the capture of an injured 19 year old Chechen suspect as he cowered in a bloodied boat in someone’s back garden.

After the capture of this obviously misguided youth, hundreds of residents lined the streets to cheer law enforcement officers. They apparently broke into chants of “USA USA USA” and a boom box belted out Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” as US flags were raised aloft by ecstatic patriots. Relief and overkill bubbled over.

But in spite of the over-the-top American-ness of all this, there are lessons to be learnt from how the Yanks do life. Firstly, don’t you wish that we cared enough about human life here in South Africa to even consider locking down an entire city – or even suburb – when three people got killed? We can suffer over 150 brutal criminal attacks on residents of the Upper Highway area of Kwa-Zulu Natal in one month and no one talks about locking the place down. What would that even look like I wonder?

We can also draw lessons from America’s understanding of the value of celebration. When the police and the FBI caught the baddie, the public took to the streets and honoured the men and women in uniform who had worked tirelessly to catch their man. Not us. When our cops embark on exhausting and dangerous manhunts – and catch the bad guys as they often do – we don’t so much as drop KFC and a Coke at the local police station let alone take to the streets and wave South African flags around hysterically. We are quick to berate our police for being fat, lazy and incompetent but do we ever bother to honour them when great work is done?

Human beings thrive on affirmation. How can we expect our police to rise to the enormous challenges presented by crime in South Africa when all we keep reiterating is that they are overweight, useless and corrupt? What about the hard working ones? What about the honest ones? What about the ones who give their lives to protect us and our families but who still die with our scorn heaped on their heads? Do these people not deserve our thanks? Or do we just say that our taxes pay their salaries so why should we bother to thank them?

We can learn from those crazy Americans and apply the lessons to other arenas in which the dominant discourse is of ineptitude and laziness….

Our discourse is so dominated by the negative that we often fail to see the successes that are going on before our very eyes – even in areas like policing… Without creating room for celebration of the good, human beings inevitably drown in a sea of bad.

And this is what we can do to inspire an awakening of great service in our country; become people who draw the best out of one another by thanking, honouring and celebrating rather than constantly complaining and critisising.

Justin Foxton is founder of The Peace Agency.

Following Cabinet’s approval earlier this month of the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, an explanatory summary of the proposed new statute was gazetted on Friday  26 April 2013 (General Notice 435 of Government Gazette 36415) in anticipation of its introduction in Parliament.

According to the summary, the Bill seeks to provide for the ‘the taking of specified bodily samples’ for forensic purposes, their retention and destruction, as well as for the establishment, administration and maintenance of a national forensic DNA database. With this in mind, it proposes amendments to Criminal Procedure Act 51/1977, South African Police Service Act 68/1995, Firearms Control Act 60/2000 and Explosives Act 15/2003.

We note however that the Bill has yet to be published on either of the websites mentioned in the Gazette.

To read the Government Gazette Notice click on the following link: GG NOTICE 26 APRIL 2013

What makes an awareness campaign successful? Not being a creative myself, I have no idea what formula one would use to determine this. As a layman in this arena, I simply rely on feedback. And our Cape Town Station ‘Never Disturb a Crime Scene’ Ad, has received more than its share of feedback over the last few months – in fact it has positively shined through. So many people have seen our ad and commended us on  a great idea with such a clear message. But these accolades do not belong to us and there are so many people we need to thank for this:

Thanks to FoxP2 for conceiving this unbelievable idea. They are a team of creative geniuses who managed to pull this off and they deserve all the credit for a great activation.

Thanks to the incredible  Change a Life Trust for helping us fund this project. Together you are helping us  not only change, but save lives.

Thanks to etv for giving us 820 airtime slots over the last few months at a value of over R6 000 000 at no cost to ourselves. Thanks also goes to DSTV for giving us 250 airtime slots at a value of over R3 300 000 at no cost to ourselves. They both believed in our work and were willing to be a part of a collective solution to try and educate the South African public as to the importance of preserving evidence on a crime scene in order to help secure convictions. Without their generous platforms, we would not have been able to disseminate this critical message.

Thanks to Amplicon Public Relations, part of the FoxP2 Group, for helping us disseminate the ad through all forms of social media and congratulations goes out to them too as they recently won Bronze in the “PR on a shoestring” category with their DNA Project “Station Activation” entry at the 2013 PRISM Awards.

Bronze Prism Award goes to The DNA Project Ad

And last but not least, thanks to you, the public, for watching our ad. Everyone who has seen our ad has given us such positive feedback: they tell us that they just ‘GET IT!’ and I think that is the key to a successful awareness campaign.

NEVER DISTURB A CRIME SCENE.

DNA EVIDENCE CONVICTS.

Vanessa Lynch

The DNA Project has been invited to be part of the capacity building pilot project for CPF’s, initiated by SAPS and BACSA.

Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) has leveraged the skills of the DNA PROJECT to run free, crime scene awareness training workshops for CPF’s in seven pilot stations in Gauteng as part of its joint collaboration with SAPS. The recent collaboration is part of a capacity building project for CPF’s and is one of many of the jointly agreed initiatives entered into between BACSA and SAPS.

A sample of our crime scene tape which is issued to CPF's to assist with crime scene protection

The initiatives stem from the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BACSA and SAPS and provides structure and accountability to the relationship. The initiatives, including CPF capacity building pilot project, have been conceptualised based on the information provided by SAPS on the core strategic risks facing the Police service.

The project’s footprint is national but for purposes of the pilot the following seven Gauteng police stations have been selected as sites:
• Alexandra;
• Bronkhorstspruit;
• Cullinan;
• Dube;
• Diepsloot;
• Midrand; and
• Norkem Park.

The insights and lessons learnt from the pilot phase will serve as a basis for the best practice model to be rolled out to other provinces.

The aim : To enhance community and police relations to improve on service delivery and a number of challenges have been identified. Key amongst these challenges is the limited understanding of the role and responsibilities of the CPF by CPF members. One other key deficiency identified is the need for skills development for the Community Police Forum executive members in the seven pilot stations.

CPF members will learn about different types of DNA evidence found on crime scenes

To mitigate the two identified key challenges, SAPS Human Resources Division (HRD) has developed a training manual for CPF’s and three instalments of three days training workshops have been planned. The first one will be taking place from 26-28 April 2013. A skills audit of the CPF executive members in the seven stations has been compiled and submitted to SAPS HRD for the design of skills development and other capacity building interventions.

BACSA’s role in its long-standing working relationship with SAPS is to identify and leverage skills not resident within the SAPS environments from the private sector to support and expertise in alignment with SAPS objectives.

The DNA Project will form part of this three day training programme and will focus on providing CPF’s with a basic understanding of how DNA evidence is being used to assist in criminal investigations and why it is therefore vital not to enter or disturb a crime scene. Members of the CPF’s and sub structures are
in some cases the first people who arrive at a crime scene with potential DNA evidence. Without proper training and understanding of the value of the DNA

Never Disturb a Crime Scene

evidence, vital evidence is contaminated. The workshops consist of a presentation by a DNA project approved trainer (who is knowledgeable in the field of DNA profiling). A broadcast and distribution of a DNA awareness DVD is also compiled and produced by the DNA Project.

The training programme will kick off this weekend in Pretoria.

Directors of The DNA Project, Vanessa Lynch, Carolyn Hancock and Rob Mathews appeared on ChaiFM 101.9 on “The law and you” with Garry Hertzberg, on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 6pm. They discussed the importance and implications of DNA profiling and the DNA Bill and how the new laws will regulate the taking of DNA from arrestees as well as convicted offenders.

To listen to a recording of the show click here

For more information on why the DNA Bill has been delayed for over 5 years, watch here

THE FOLLOWING ADVERTISEMENT FOR A FORENSIC SCIENCE LECTURER HAS BEEN POSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE. Should you wish to apply for this post, please read the below instructions carefully on how to apply to the UFS:

N1304-009: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Forensic Science)

Faculty: Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Department: Genetics
Type: Academic
Description: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Department of Genetics
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Forensic Science) – Ref.: N1304-009

The UFS

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop undergraduate and postgraduate modules and learning programs in Forensic Science.

• Teaching and learning modules in Forensic Science.

• Research in Forensic Science.

• Develop equipped laboratory (s) for Forensic Science.

• Responsible for selection of undergraduate students for Forensic Science.

• Liaise with the SAPD’s forensic laboratories.

• Administration of Forensic Science.

Inherent requirements:

Lecturer:
Hold a masters’ degree in Physics or Forensic Science and be required to enrol for a doctoral degree at the first available opportunity, if not yet attained by the time of the appointment.
A good academic record, and qualifications completed in the minimum degree period.
Senior Lecturer:
Hold a doctoral degree in Physics or Forensic Science.
Hold an NRF rating OR demonstrate potential for obtaining an NRF rating within the next five (5) years.
Experience of research in any Ballistics related field.
Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability function with ease in the University’s parallel and multicultural work environment.
Ability to work independently and in a team.
Good organisational skills.
Ability to work under pressure.
Valid driver’s license.

Forensic Hons Student at the UFS

Recommendation:
Teaching experience and experience in obtaining research funds.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible

Closing date:
22 April 2013

Salary:
The salary scale is available on request.  For any further enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9339/9329.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

General:
The University reserves the right not to fill the post.  The University subscribes to and applies the principles prescribed by the Employment Equity Act.  Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned Act and the employee profile of the specific department/division.

Applications must be addressed to Human Resources Department, George du Toit Building, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 or applications can be submitted at the Human Resources Department, George du Toit Administration building, 2nd floor.  Please note that applications send by fax or e-mail will not be considered.

All applications must be accompanied by the following:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae
2. An abridged curriculum vitae (maximum two pages)
3. Full details of three referees
4. Certified copies of qualifications
5. Certified copy of identity document (ID)

Please indicate the reference number and the post you are applying for on the cover letter of your application.  Applications with no reference number will not be considered.

PLEASE NOTE: Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date of applications, you may accept that your application was unsuccessful.

My father always told me that sport is a great leveller…it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, when you are on the sportsfield, it’s an ‘even field’. I think as children, the first painful lessons of life in terms of endurance, efforts, success, despair, agony and most importantly passion emanate from these level playing fields….! I have always loved the philosophy behind this sentiment, especially when this reasoning is taken even further insofar as sport having the ability to unite people, even off the field, as is so often witnessed in South Africa.

Sam Marais speaking out about the DNA Project at the start of the Two Oceans Trail Run in Cape Town last week

It is in this spirit that we truly appreciate the various DNA Project Teams and individuals who play their sport in our DNA Projects kits, be it cycling, running or paddling. Each and every one of them  are wonderful ambassadors of our cause – they love wearing our fabulous DNA Project  gear, they talk about our projects on their ‘playing fields’ and they raise interest and most importantly awareness amongst their competitors as well as spectators as to how and why we are fighting crime with science.

A huge THANK YOU to all of our DNA Project ‘crusaders’ who take to the trails, rivers and roads and for speaking up and out on our behalf to inform people about the work we do in our fight against crime. All of your continued support and the awareness you raise is truly appreciated.

with thanks from,

The DNA Project Team

Louresnford MTB Race in Somerset West, 2013

Cycling with Robbie Hunter in Soweto, 2012

Impi Challenge, 2012

Dusi, 2013

Houwhoek, 2012

Soweto, 2012

Robbie Hunter and Mandy Moloi, Soweto 2012

A law proposed in Texas would require all biological evidence collected in cases in which the state is seeking the death penalty to undergo DNA testing before trial, a change intended to reduce the risk of an innocent person being put to death.

This article was written by Corrie MacLaggan and first appeared on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas executes more prisoners than any other state. The bill’s Democratic author, state Senator Rodney Ellis, said he was unaware of any other state having a similar law.

His proposal has also won the backing of the state’s Republican attorney general.

“This law is a safeguard to help ensure no innocent person will be executed in Texas,” said Attorney General Greg Abbott, who announced his support for the proposal at a press conference on Tuesday.

“If you’re innocent, you’re going to find out that your exoneration will come sooner,” Abbott added. “If you are guilty, justice will be more swift and more certain. This law will also help prevent the seemingly endless appeals that do nothing more than game the system and delay justice.”

Texas has executed 493 people since capital punishment was reinstated in the United States in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Virginia has had the second-largest number of executions, 110.

There have been 303 post-conviction DNA exonerations in the United States, according to the Innocence Project. Of those exonerated, 18 served time on death row and an additional 16 were charged with capital crimes but did not receive a death sentence.

“We know that sometimes we get the wrong person,” said Ellis, who represents parts of Houston. “There may be more men and women serving on death row today who did not commit a crime for which they were convicted.”

Ellis pointed to the case of Michael Morton, an innocent man who spent nearly 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife before DNA evidence exonerated him. While Morton did not face the death penalty, Ellis said his case exemplifies the problem of wrongful conviction.

“Texas state government has been sensitized to the failures of its criminal justice system through the exoneration cases and particularly through the Michael Morton case,” said Kathryn Kase, executive director of the Texas Defender Service, a nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of representation afforded those facing the death penalty.

Abbott said conducting DNA testing before a trial rather than after would prevent people who have been convicted from asking for repeated tests of evidence.

Under the proposal, the state would pay for the DNA testing. Abbott and Ellis said they weren’t yet sure how much that might cost.

Stephen Saloom, policy director at the Innocence Project, a non-profit legal clinic dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people, said Ellis’ bill was a good idea, but that he was uncertain whether such legislation was necessary.

“This should already be happening as a matter of practice,” he said.

All states except Oklahoma have laws allowing post-conviction access to DNA evidence, although the laws vary, according to the Innocence Project. Some of the laws don’t allow access to DNA in cases in which the defendant confessed to the crime or don’t require adequate preservation of DNA evidence, the Innocence Project says.

Abbott and Ellis both support the death penalty.

Abbott said he did not believe Texas has executed any innocent people, noting that the state has an exhaustive process in place to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Ellis was not so sure.

“I just don’t know,” he said. “I worry about it.”

Did you know that South Africa has started an Innocence Project? If you believe that someone you know may have been wrongfully convicted for a crime they did not commit and you think that there may be DNA or other forensic evidence which could help establish their innocence, please contact The Innocence Project of South Africa (IPSA). They are a non profit organisation dedicated to helping individuals prove their innocence through the use of DNA or other forensic evidence, which may not have been used or available at the time they went to trial.
Click here for more details or email info@innocenceprojectsa.com