The DNA Project was started by Vanessa Lynch in conjunction with the Matthews Family following the tragic murders of each of their family member’s, John Lynch and Leigh Matthews, in 2004. Both parties sought ways in which to meaningfully contribute towards the alleviation of crime in South Africa in a way, which was significant, achievable, tangible and would ultimately have a long term impact towards negating the high crime rate in SA. An assessment of successful criminal justice systems worldwide all pointed to one obvious solution: alleviation of crime in other countries was ultimately achieved through the implementation and development of a National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database.

The Current Situation in South Africa...

Research into South Africa’s situation showed that whilst initially it was relatively unknown that a South African National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database (NDCID) did in fact exist and was being operated by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Pretoria, it was not coping with the backlog of cases submitted to it for DNA profiling nor achieving the results being attained by other countries with developed DNA Databases. The DNAProject was thus borne, its aim being to support the FSL in uplifting its current profile and most importantly providing the FSL with real and “tangible” assistance.

The DNA Project recognises the critical contribution that DNA profiling will make and is committed to advancing justice through the expansion and use of the National DNA Criminal Intelligence Database.

The impact of DNA profiling in SA...

...is limited due to a combination of factors such as insufficient DNA Profiling equipment, inadequate laboratory capacity, outdated information systems, overwhelming caseloads, and a lack of training. It is regrettable that despite the profound success of DNA analysis and its revolutionary effect in the resolution of crime throughout the world, it remains an alien concept to many key figures in authority in SA as well as throughout the justice system.

As a result of the lagging awareness by the Government of the value and importance of an expanded DNA Criminal Intelligence Database, SA currently only has in the region of 80 000 DNA profiles on its National DNA Database, and, due to a restriction imposed by Government, only crime stains that have a suspect are allowed to be processed and entered onto the DNA database.

How does the DNA Project hope to increase the NDCID in SA?

The DNA Project has identified a number of ways in which it is able to be of assistance insofar as contributing towards the development and expansion of the existing NDCID. These project objectives include:

• supplying the FSL’s in Pretoria and Cape Town with DNA Profiling equipment, which will address the backlog of DNA samples currently awaiting analysis and assist, where necessary, with bottlenecks within the FSL;
• lobbying Government to amend existing legislation which currently prevents DNA profiles from being uplifted from Convicted Offenders and all arrestees regardless of whether they are subsequently charged, convicted or acquitted;
• educating the public to assist in containing a crime scene, thereby enabling the trained personnel to collect and retain usable DNA evidence for profiling;
• DNA Awareness Training for Police, Security Services & Emergency Services;
• to advise the FSL of further ways to improve their capabilities and capacitiesto conduct forensic analyses, and for general forensic laboratory improvement such as analyst training and continuing education, the purchase of additional upgraded laboratory and computer equipment and supplies, scientific validation and implementation of new forensic technologies, facility modifications, and contractor-provided services for assistance in implementing new capabilities.

The logic behind achieving the above objectives is that the more DNA profiles that are entered onto the NDCID, the more likely a “hit” is going to be made. It should not be necessary for a suspect to be identified in order for a crime stain to be entered onto the DNA Database – in fact , the more crime stains that are entered, the more likely an eventual suspect will be fingered for not only the crime for which he has been arrested, but for all the other crimes where his DNA profile has been collected.