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

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