top of page
banner 12-14 june.png

SOUTH AFRICA Forensic
DNA SYMPOSIUM 2023

This event held by DNAforAFRICA, UNODC and ICRC

featured the latest advancements

in forensic DNA analysis and its applications.

The Third Annual Forensic DNA Symposium took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from June 12-14, 2023. This event successfully brought together experts in criminal justice and humanitarian forensic fields, with a primary focus on DNA. (see BIO'S of speakers HERE)

We also had the privilege of hosting two exciting PRE-Symposium events:

​

- An online Media Event our esteemed presenters engaged with media professionals, discussing the crucial significance of accurate forensic reporting. (watch recording HERE)

​

- An in-person Scientific Workshop led by Professor Bruce Budowle who delved deep into complex DNA subjects, providing valuable insights to participants. (see agenda HERE)

congress pic test.png
congress pic test.png

SOUTH AFRICA 3#FDNAS 2023

3#FDNAS PHOTO GALLERY

Photo Galley
MEDIA WORKSHOP

MEDIA WORKSHOP PRE-EVENT

MEDIA 07june.jpg

3#FDNAS PRESENTATIONS DAY 1

banner no text.png

DAY 1
SESSION 1

 Tuesday 13 JUNE 2023
08h15 - 10h45

DNAforAfrica, ICRC, UNODC

Welcome and Opening Address

​

Prof. Bruce Budowle

Scientific Solutions for Complex DNA Cases

​

Dr Kathryn Smith

DNA 'Face Off'

​

Mr Yasin Farah

The Somjust Programme

​

Moderator: Dr Vanessa Lynch

Panelists: Prof. B. Budowle, A/Prof. L. Heathfield,

Ms A. Auckloo, Mr Y. Farah, Lt Col. S. Otto

Panel Discussion A

banner no text.png

DAY 1
SESSION 3

 Tuesday 13 JUNE 2023
14h00 - 15h30

Mr Donald Mushove 

Cracking the Code: Zimbabwe's DNA Policy Framework

to Combat Serial Sex Offenders

​

Ms Asha Auckloo

Sharing Practices:

Lessons Learned from the Mauritius FSL

​

A/Prof. Ryan Blumenthal

The Imperative of Mandatory DNA Sampling in Homicide Cases for Advancing Justice

​

​

​

​

​

banner no text.png

DAY 1
SESSION 2

 Tuesday 13 JUNE 2023
11h00 - 13h15

 

Prof. Robert Green

Efficiency and Value Derived from Science

Led Investigations

​

Ms Carla Pessanha Loque

Ensuring Accountability

​

Adv. Bonnie Currie Gwamo

Navigating the DNA Backlog

​

​

Moderator: Ms Carla Pessanha Loque

Panelists: Dr L. Naidoo, Adv. B. Currie-Gwamo,

Prof. Robert Green, Ms J. Wessels

Panel Discussion B

banner no text.png

DAY 1
SESSION 4

 Tuesday 13 JUNE 2023
15h45 - 17h45

Brig. Fikile Hlalele

The New Gqeberha FSL: A Forensic Turnkey Solution

to Enhance DNA Capacity

​

Dr Nechama Brodie

Every Contact Leaves a Trace: How to Improve

Media Coverage of Forensic Science

​

Moderator: Dr Vanessa Lynch

Panelists: Prof. B. Budowle, Lt. Col. S. Otto, Mr D. Mushove, Prof. G.Labuschagne

Panel Discussion C

​

Dr Vanessa Lynch

General Q&A, Closure

​

3#FDNAS event

3#FDNAS PRESENTATIONS DAY 2

banner no text.png

DAY 2
SESSION 1

Wednesday 14 JUNE 2023
08h15 - 10h45

Dr Vanessa Lynch

Welcome and Overview of Day 1

​

Dr Francois-Xavier Laurent

Insights into Interpol's iFamilia DNA Database

​

Brig. Joe Smith

South Africa's Forensic DNA Database

​

Mr Anthony Wally

Benefits of Implementing CODIS

​

Moderator: Mr Tim Schellberg

Panelists: Dr F. Laurent; Brig. J. Smith, Mr A. Wally,

Ms A. Auckloo, A/Prof. A. Aamkwaa

Panel Discussion D

banner no text.png

DAY 2
SESSION 3

Wednesday 14 JUNE 2023
14h00 - 15h15

Mr Mark Mogle 

International Accreditation

and the Value of Collaboration

​

Mr Innocent Makasa

Forging Africa's First

Forensic Science Regulator In Zambia

​

Dr Antonel Olckers

AFSA:

A New Era for Forensic Sciences in Africa

​

Mr Tim Schellberg

DNA Hit of the Year:

Spotlight on Cases that Exemplify the Power

of DNA Databases

banner no text.png

DAY 2
SESSION 2

Wednesday 14 JUNE 2023
11h15 - 13h15

A/Prof Aaron Amankwaa

Developing a Forensic DNA Legislative Framework

​

Mr Stephen Fonseca

Establishing Identity in Conflict and War

​

Dr Tumi Molefe

Insight to Africa's First Forensic Pathology Institute

​

​

​

​

Moderator: Dr Vanessa Lynch

Panelists: Panelists: Mr S. Fonseca, Dr T. Molefe,

A/Prof. R. Blumenthal, Dr K. Smith

Panel Discussion E

banner no text.png

DAY 2
SESSION 4

Wednesday 14 JUNE 2023
15h30 - 17h00

Prof. Gérard Labuschagne

Truth is Stranger than Fiction:

The Story of Thabo Bester, “Facebook Rapist”

and how DNA Played a Role in this Extraordinary Case

​

Dr Vanessa Lynch

General Q&A, Closure

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Bio's speaker
congress pic test.png
congress pic test.png

SOUTH AFRICA #FDNAS 2023

To access the PDF versions of the plenary presentations given at the #3FDNAS, please click on the respective names on the right-hand side of this image.

 

NOTE: All rights reserved, and copying and distribution of the presentations is prohibited

speakers.png
tape-38971.png
tape-38971.png
bottom of page