OUR MISSION EXPLAINED IN 5 STEPS
Our goal is to help find solution based action in the fight against crime.
Through our experienced forensic DNA experts and key opinion leaders, we offer the data and policy information needed to make DNA database strategy decisions in the following ways:
PODCAST SERIES
Vanessa Lynch, Regional Director of DNAforAfrica as she talks about the mission behind DNAforAfrica and her thoughts on how Africa can benefit from using DNA and DNA Databases to solve crime and assist victims of crime and GBV.
PODCAST SERIES
Vanessa Lynch, Regional Director of DNAforAfrica as she talks about the mission behind DNAforAfrica and her thoughts on how Africa can benefit from using DNA and DNA Databases to solve crime and assist victims of crime and GBV.
PODCAST SERIES
Vanessa Lynch, Regional Director of DNAforAfrica as she talks about the mission behind DNAforAfrica and her thoughts on how Africa can benefit from using DNA and DNA Databases to solve crime and assist victims of crime and GBV.
#2026 CAPE TOWN
AFRICAN FORENSIC FORUM
6#AFF 2026 | PROGRAM
Day 1 - Wednesday 18 March
Morning: Students, early-career research, variable forensic and DNA topics
Afternoon: Workshops
Day 2 - Thursday 19 March
Focus: Frameworks, human identification, sexual offences, applied practice
EVENTS
08h00 - 08h30 [30mins]
Registration and exhibition
OFPI, foyer
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h30 - 08h40 [10mins]
Welcome and housekeeping
Prof Laura Heathfield
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h40 - 08h55 [15mins]
Session 1:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Mass Fatality Incidents, Conflict and Migration: the value of scarification and tribal markings in forensic casework
Ms Tumisang T. Mbedzi
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h55 - 09h05 [10mins]
Session 1:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Strengthening forensic science practice in police-based laboratories: exploring role conflict
Mr Simbarashe Kaneunyenye
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h05 - 09h15 [10mins]
Session 1:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Assessing contamination and implementing environmental monitoring in a forensic mortuary and DNA laboratory
Mr Gerald Esau
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h15 - 09h30 [15mins]
Session 1:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Introducing the Stellenbosch Face Database
Dr Elysia Greenway
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h30 - 09h40 [10mins]
Panel-style Q&A
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h40 - 09h55 [15mins]
Session 2:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
A potential high-throughput fully automatable differential DNA extraction method: a proof-of-concept study on mock sexual offence samples
Ms Amy-Leigh Whittaker
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h55 - 10h05 [10mins]
Session 2:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Advancing the Interpretation of Complex DNA Mixtures in Zambian Forensic Casework through TrueAllele
Mr Friday Musangu
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h05 - 10h15 [10mins]
Session 2:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Impact of Reporting Timelines on Forensic DNA Outcomes in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Cases in Zambia
Mr Chanda Bwalya
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h15 - 10h25 [10mins]
Session 2:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Forensic DNA Analysis and the Processing of Sexual Assault Cases in Zambia: An Assessment of Case Status and Systemic Challenges
Ms Beatrice Phiri
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h25 - 10h35 [10mins]
Panel-style Q&A
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h35 - 11h00 [25mins]
Tea Break and exhibition
OFPI, board room and outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h00 - 11h15 [15mins]
Session 3:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
DNA evidence at wildlife crime scenes: observations from white rhino poaching scenes in northern KwaZulu-Natal
Mrs Chandra Finaughty
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h15 - 11h30 [15mins]
Session 3:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
‘Biological sex’ and ‘Gender’ in forensic genetics literature: a systematic review
Ms Thobeka Nkheloane
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h30 - 11h45 [15mins]
Session 3:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Digital PCR: A Novel Approach to Body Fluid Identification
Mr Michael Menear
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h45 - 12h00 [15mins]
Session 3:
STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS
Advancing Forensic Identification Science for Collective Impact
Wilhelm Fouche
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
12h00 - 12h30 [30mins]
Interactive session: Myth busters
Mr Vaughn Rossouw
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
12h30 - 13h30 [60mins]
Lunch and exhibition
OFPI, board room and outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
13h30 - 16h30 [180mins]
Parallel session
WORKSHOPS
2. TrueAllele workshop (48 pax)
Dr Mark Perlin
CyberGenetics
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
13h30 - 16h30 [180mins]
Parallel session
WORKSHOPS
4. International humanitarian law and the protection of the dead in armed conflict
Mr Vaughn Rossouw
International Committee of the Red Cross
TBC
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
13h30 - 16h30 [180mins]
Parallel session
WORKSHOPS
1. Sep&Prep hands-on workshop (8 pax)
Ms Nosipho Sithole
QIAGEN
OFPI, DNA extraction laboratory
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
13h30 - 16h30 [180mins]
Parallel session
WORKSHOPS
3. Rapid DNA Solutions - Because Every Minute Counts (16 pax)
Parmowtee Goodur
Thermo Fisher Scientific
OFPI, Conference room
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h00 - 08h30 [30mins]
Registration and exhibition
OFPI, foyer
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h30 - 08h40 [10mins]
Welcome and housekeeping
Dr Vanessa Lynch
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h40 - 08h50 [10mins]
Session 1:
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
20th Anniversary of the Forensic Pathology Service
Mrs Vonita Thompson
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
08h50 - 09h10 [20mins]
Session 1:
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
The medico-legal investigation of death and the Forensic Pathology Service in South Africa: historical perspectives with an eye on the future
Dr Gert Saayman
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h10 - 09h25 [15mins]
Session 1:
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
A case series of successful identifications achieved by the new UCT/OFPI Molecular Forensics Laboratory
Dr Donna-Lee Martin
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h25 - 09h35 [10mins]
Panel-style Q&A
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
09h35 - 10h05 [30mins]
Session 1:
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
Panel discussion: Academic discourse - Is it ethical to use unidentified human deceased individuals in research?
Prof Laura Heathfield
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h05 - 10h15 [10mins]
Session 1:
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
Why the next IAFS should be hosted in Africa
Dr Antonel Olckers
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h15 - 10h45 [30mins]
Tea Break
OFPI, board room and outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
10h45 - 11h05 [20mins]
Session 2:
HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND DATABASES
The ICRC’s Military Personnel Identification Project: Implementing measures to prevent soldiers from becoming unaccounted for on the battlefield
Mr Vaughn Rossouw
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h05 - 11h20 [15mins]
Session 2:
HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND DATABASES
Familial searching utilising national forensic DNA databases to aid identification
Commander Mogambal Singh
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h20 - 11h35 [15mins]
Session 2:
HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND DATABASES
The impact of forensic DNA investigative leads in criminal investigations
Brig Joe Smith
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h35 - 11h55 [20mins]
Session 2:
HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND DATABASES
Science for Justice in Forensic Human ID (S4J) initiative
Prof Kathryn Smith
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
11h55 - 12h15 [20mins]
Session 2:
HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND DATABASES
TrueAllele for Africa
Dr Mark Perlin
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
12h15 - 12h30 [15mins]
Panel-style Q&A
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
12h30 - 13h00 [30mins]
Interactive session: Quiz
Mr Vaughn Rossouw
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
13h00 - 14h00 [60mins]
Lunch and exhibition
OFPI, board room and outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
14h00 - 14h10 [10mins]
Session 3:
VENDOR PRESENTATIONS
Development of an automated EZ2 Connect Fx sexual assault processing workflow
Ms Nosipho Sithole
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
14h10 - 14h20 [10mins]
Session 3:
VENDOR PRESENTATIONS
Direct Match Software: Delivering fast, actionable DNA intelligence to help accelerate investigative leads with confidence and security
Ms Jenna van den Munckhof
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
14h30 - 14h45 [15mins]
Session 4:
LOOKING FORWARD
An investigation of forensic DNA evidence processing for crimes relating to violence against children: towards a continental legislative framework
Ms Gamuchirai Yvonne Tagwireyi
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
14h45 - 15h00 [15mins]
Session 4:
LOOKING FORWARD
The future of forensic science
Sarah Forbes Robertson
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
15h00 - 15h20 [20mins]
Session 4:
LOOKING FORWARD
FIGG and AI: current capabilities and cautions
Prof Bruce Budowle
OFPI, Auditorium
[Virtual]
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
15h20 - 15h35 [15mins]
Session 4:
LOOKING FORWARD
From the courtroom: perspectives from an expert forensic witness
Ret Lt Col. Sharlene Otto
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
15h35 - 15h55 [20mins]
Panel-style Q&A
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
15h55 - 16h00 [5mins]
Thanks and closing
Dr Vanessa Lynch
OFPI, Auditorium
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
16h00 - 17h00 [60mins]
Networking and exhibition
OFPI, board room and outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1
17h00 - 20h00 [3h]
Braai
OFPI, Outdoor area
MAY 21 - Tuesday 2024 | DNA-TRACK day 1