With the advancement of the Internet and related technologies, many traditional crimes have made the leap to digital environments. The successes of data mining in a wide variety of disciplines have given birth to crime analysis. Traditional crime analysis is mainly focused on understanding crime patterns, however, it is unsuitable for identifying and monitoring emerging crimes. The true nature of crime remains buried in unstructured content that represents the hidden story behind the data. User feedback leaves valuable traces that can be utilised to measure the quality of various aspects of products or services and can also be used to detect, infer, or predict crimes. Like any application of data mining, the data must be of a high quality standard in order to avoid erroneous conclusions. This thesis presents a methodology and practical experiments towards discovering whether (i) user feedback can be harnessed and processed for crime intelligence, (ii) criminal associations, structures, and roles can be inferred among entities involved in a crime, and (iii) methods and standards can be developed for measuring, predicting, and comparing the quality level of social data instances and samples. It contributes to the theory, design and development of a novel framework for crime intelligence and algorithm for the estimation of social data quality by innovatively adapting the methods of monitoring water contaminants. Several experiments were conducted and the results obtained revealed the significance of this study in mining social data for crime intelligence and in developing social data quality filters and decision support systems.

With the advancement of the Internet and related technologies, many traditional crimes have made the leap to digital environments. The successes of data mining in a wide variety of disciplines have given birth to crime analysis. Traditional crime analysis is mainly focused on understanding crime patterns, however, it is unsuitable for identifying and monitoring emerging crimes. The true nature of crime remains buried in unstructured content that represents the hidden story behind the data. User feedback leaves valuable traces that can be utilised to measure the quality of various aspects of products or services and can also be used to detect, infer, or predict crimes. Like any application of data mining, the data must be of a high quality standard in order to avoid erroneous conclusions. This thesis presents a methodology and practical experiments towards discovering whether (i) user feedback can be harnessed and processed for crime intelligence, (ii) criminal associations, structures, and roles can be inferred among entities involved in a crime, and (iii) methods and standards can be developed for measuring, predicting, and comparing the quality level of social data instances and samples. It contributes to the theory, design and development of a novel framework for crime intelligence and algorithm for the estimation of social data quality by innovatively adapting the methods of monitoring water contaminants. Several experiments were conducted and the results obtained revealed the significance of this study in mining social data for crime intelligence and in developing social data quality filters and decision support systems. / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

This study firstly focuses on the response to the post-Cold War era with the shift of the focus of intelligence to terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and transnational organised crime. Intelligence cooperation in respect of international crimes, including mercenary crimes, piracy and war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is analysed, as well as peacekeeping intelligence. Secondly the focus is on intelligence cooperation in response to the events of 11 September 2001 in the United States of America, and intelligence failures in respect of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Intelligence cooperation on the national level is analysed with reference to the United Kingdom and the United States of America; on regional level, with reference to the African Union, the European Union and South East Asia; and on international level with reference to INTERPOL and the United Nations. International and regional obligations in respect of intelligence cooperation are described and analysed and both the drivers of intelligence cooperation and the challenges to intelligence cooperation are analysed. Best practices are identified and proposals made to improve intelligence cooperation on the mentioned levels, in combating international crimes, including a high degree of cooperation between crime intelligence and positive intelligence. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Political Sciences / unrestricted

The advent of democracy in South Africa brought hope for freedom and prosperity for millions of South Africans. The country also experienced an increase in violent crime during those early years of democracy. In order to deal with the threat of crime the government had to develop policing strategies which would eradicate crime and fear of crime. As a young democracy South Africa had to look for policing models which has successfully decreased the high crime rate in developed countries. Fortunately the western democracies like the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia had some of these answers. Firstly it was community policing, then sector policing, and finally intelligence led policing. This research focuses on the intelligence led policing model by discussing its building blocks in chronological order as follows. Firstly is the historical background of intelligence; Secondly, is information collection; Thirdly is crime analysis; and Fourthly is the Intelligence-cycle, with specific focus on the implementation process in England in the United Kingdom; New Jersey in the United States of America, South Australia State in Australia; and in the Republic of South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the implementation of intelligence led policing by the South African Police Service / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

This research looks at the best practices applied by forensic investigators in conducting lifestyle audits on white collar crime suspects. The researcher explored, firstly, how a lifestyle audit relates to white collar crime investigations; secondly, the best practices in performing lifestyle audits on white collar crime suspects, and lastly, the various sources of information available to forensic investigators when conducting a lifestyle audit of a white collar crime suspect. As lifestyle audits will serve as an investigative tool in future forensic investigations into white collar crime, this study’s aim was to understand and create an awareness of the current best practices applied by forensic investigators within private sector forensic investigation practices while conducting lifestyle audits during white collar crime investigations. It also makes available research data regarding the concept of lifestyle audits in white collar crime investigations, the implementation of these audits, the benefits, and the best practices of these audits. The general purpose of this study was to provide practical recommendations on the best practices for lifestyle audits for forensic investigators within private sector. / Criminology / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The problem that was identified is that physical surveillance is not generally used by general detectives in the South African Police Service as a technique during their investigations. According to the researcher’s experience, this can be due to lack of understanding or experience or may stem from ignorance. A lack of training on the use of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process was also identified as a problem. This study therefore investigated the role and use of physical surveillance within the forensic investigation process. The focus of the research was on basic static (stationary), foot and vehicle surveillance as these types of surveillance are usually conducted in conjunction with each other. An empirical research design was used to conduct the research. A qualitative research approach enabled the researcher to obtain first-hand information from interviews with general detectives. Information was also obtained from a thorough literature study and from the researcher’s own experience on the topic. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the concept of physical surveillance, its elements, its influence and its values. A physical surveillance operation is a forensic tool used to gather evidence, to recover stolen property, and to identify and arrest the perpetrator. The use of physical surveillance during investigations serves the purpose of gathering evidence and information that can be used as intelligence. Successful forensic investigation requires skill and places extraordinary demands on detectives to utilise all available methods and techniques. The recognition of the use of physical surveillance as a method of evidence gathering is of outmost importance. The research has revealed that general detectives do not acknowledge the importance of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process. It is of vital importance that all detectives be properly trained with the necessary knowledge and skills to make use of this valuable investigative tool. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The advent of democracy in South Africa brought hope for freedom and prosperity for millions of South Africans. The country also experienced an increase in violent crime during those early years of democracy. In order to deal with the threat of crime the government had to develop policing strategies which would eradicate crime and fear of crime. As a young democracy South Africa had to look for policing models which has successfully decreased the high crime rate in developed countries. Fortunately the western democracies like the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia had some of these answers. Firstly it was community policing, then sector policing, and finally intelligence led policing. This research focuses on the intelligence led policing model by discussing its building blocks in chronological order as follows. Firstly is the historical background of intelligence; Secondly, is information collection; Thirdly is crime analysis; and Fourthly is the Intelligence-cycle, with specific focus on the implementation process in England in the United Kingdom; New Jersey in the United States of America, South Australia State in Australia; and in the Republic of South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the implementation of intelligence led policing by the South African Police Service / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

This research looks at the best practices applied by forensic investigators in conducting lifestyle audits on white collar crime suspects. The researcher explored, firstly, how a lifestyle audit relates to white collar crime investigations; secondly, the best practices in performing lifestyle audits on white collar crime suspects, and lastly, the various sources of information available to forensic investigators when conducting a lifestyle audit of a white collar crime suspect. As lifestyle audits will serve as an investigative tool in future forensic investigations into white collar crime, this study’s aim was to understand and create an awareness of the current best practices applied by forensic investigators within private sector forensic investigation practices while conducting lifestyle audits during white collar crime investigations. It also makes available research data regarding the concept of lifestyle audits in white collar crime investigations, the implementation of these audits, the benefits, and the best practices of these audits. The general purpose of this study was to provide practical recommendations on the best practices for lifestyle audits for forensic investigators within private sector. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The problem that was identified is that physical surveillance is not generally used by general detectives in the South African Police Service as a technique during their investigations. According to the researcher’s experience, this can be due to lack of understanding or experience or may stem from ignorance. A lack of training on the use of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process was also identified as a problem. This study therefore investigated the role and use of physical surveillance within the forensic investigation process. The focus of the research was on basic static (stationary), foot and vehicle surveillance as these types of surveillance are usually conducted in conjunction with each other. An empirical research design was used to conduct the research. A qualitative research approach enabled the researcher to obtain first-hand information from interviews with general detectives. Information was also obtained from a thorough literature study and from the researcher’s own experience on the topic. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the concept of physical surveillance, its elements, its influence and its values. A physical surveillance operation is a forensic tool used to gather evidence, to recover stolen property, and to identify and arrest the perpetrator. The use of physical surveillance during investigations serves the purpose of gathering evidence and information that can be used as intelligence. Successful forensic investigation requires skill and places extraordinary demands on detectives to utilise all available methods and techniques. The recognition of the use of physical surveillance as a method of evidence gathering is of outmost importance. The research has revealed that general detectives do not acknowledge the importance of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process. It is of vital importance that all detectives be properly trained with the necessary knowledge and skills to make use of this valuable investigative tool. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Copper cable theft (CCT) has a devastating effect on the South African economy, and essential services such as TELKOM, ESKOM AND TRANSNET have been seriously disrupted, due to CCT. This dissertation focuses on the value of the cell phone record as a source of intelligence during (CCT) investigations. The cell phone industry is growing each year, and millions of people worldwide possess a cell phone. Some of these people are involved in criminal activities – which mean that cell phones, with their advanced capabilities, hold evidence which relates to crime. The activation of cell phone activity is contained on a cell phone record, and, when analysed, such information becomes intelligence which has a positive impact on CCT investigations. The purpose of this study is to assist and give guidance to investigators, in order to analyse the cell phone record(s) of CCT thieves. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)