Crime scene examiners (CSEs) spend long hours at traumatic crime scenes, and interact closely with various elements of crime scenes. The topic has only recently attracted international research interest, and in the South African context the offering is meagre. The study set out to determine the profile of Southern Gauteng CSEs; to establish the scope of their tasks and responsibilities; to ascertain their trauma levels in relation to traumatic crime scenes and autopsies; to identify the specific coping strategies they use; to determine their context-specific experiences of job-related stress and trauma; and to ascertain the measure to which they experience contentedness within their workplace and their views on both briefing and debriefing. In pursuit of the objectives of the study, the research paradigm was rooted in positivism. Consequently, a quantitative approach was adopted and a cross-sectional design was employed. Through convenience sampling, 103 respondents were recruited from all eight Local Criminal Record Centres (LCRCs) in Southern Gauteng. The data gathering instrument was a paper-based, self-administered structured questionnaire, which included two standardised measuring instruments for trauma levels and coping strategies respectively. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests indicated that non-parametric statistical procedures were required. Using the Mann Whitney U test, bivariate analysis allowed for testing the relationships between variables. The findings demonstrate that male CSEs outnumber female CSEs by approximately 3:1. CSEs attend violent crime scenes with striking regularity, but autopsies less frequently. Significant proportions of CSEs are routinely required to both take photographs of crime scenes and compile photo albums. A sizeable number of CSEs present with concerning levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomology. The coping strategy adopted by majority of respondents is acceptance. Although attended less frequently, crime scenes involving deceased children are experienced as very distressing. A large proportion of CSEs are hesitant to access debriefing services, for numerous reasons, despite feeling the need to talk to someone about their work. The trauma experienced by CSEs is unique compared with other policing units. Therefore, it is recommended that trauma interventions should be responsive to their needs. Lastly, the CSEs who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions seem to be at significant risk, and thus they should receive special attention in future interventions. Keywords: crime scene examiner, Local Criminal Record Centres, trauma, traumatic event, crime scene, traumatic crime scene, emotional stress, coping strategy, autopsy, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Southern Gauteng. / Dissertation (MA (Criminology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Social Work and Criminology / MA (Criminology) / Restricted

A First Responding Officer plays a significant role at the crime scene. Failure to handle the crime scene in accordance with official directives such as the South African Police Service National Instruction 1 of 2015 and National Crime Combatting Forum Instruction 10 of 2015, which are regarded as guiding tools for the successful administration of a crime scene, may jeopardize a case. The crime scene is also regarded as the primary source of information that can assist the investigation. When the crime scene is handled in accordance with the SAPS official directives, the suspects can be more readily identified. Furthermore, the investigation can be concluded successfully whereby it may be beneficial for the community. / Mohlankedi wa maphodisa wa mathomo yo a fihlago lefelong la bosenyi o raloka tema ye bohlokwa fao tiragalong ya bosenyi. Go palelwa ke go laola tiragalo yeo ya bosenyi ka go latela ditaelo tsa semmuso tsa go swana le Taelo ya Bosetshaba ya bo 1 ya 2015 ya Tirelo ya Maphodisa ya Afrika Borwa (SAPS) le Taelo ya Bosetshaba ya bo 10 ya Seboka sa go Lwantsha Bosenyi ya 2015, e lego tseo di bonwago bjalo ka ditlabelo tseo di hlahlago maphodisa go laola tiragalo ya bosenyi ka katlego, go ka senya molato. Lefelo la bosenyi le lona le bonwa bjalo ka mothopo o bohlokwa wa tshedimoso wo o ka thusago dinyakisiso. Ge lefelo la bosenyi le ka laolwa go latela ditaelo tsa semmuso tsa SAPS, bagononelwa ba ka utollwa gabonolo. Godimo ga fao, dinyakisiso di ka phethwa ka katlego fao e lego gore se se ka hola setshaba. / Motlhankedi yo o tsibogang la ntlha o na le seabe sa botlhokwa kwa lefelong la bosenyi. Go retelelwa ke go diragatsa mo lefelong la bosenyi go ya ka dikaelo tsa semmuso di tshwana le Taelo ya Bosetshaba ya bo1 ya 2015 ya Tirelo ya Sepodisi sa Aforikaborwa (SAPS) le Taelo ya bo 10 ya 2015 ya Foramo ya Bosetshaba ya Twantsho ya Bosenyi, tse di tsewang e le didiriswa tsa kaelo tsa tsamaiso e e atlegileng ya lefelo la bosenyi, go ka nna matshosetsi mo kgetsing. Gape lefelo la bosenyi le tsewa e le motswedi wa ntlha wa tshedimosetso o o ka thusang ka dipatlisiso. Fa tiragatso ya mo lefelong la bosenyi e dirwa go ya ka dikaelo tsa semmuso tsa SAPS, go ka supiwa babelaelwa ka bonako. Mo godimo ga moo, dipatlisiso di ka konosediwa ka katlego mme seo se ka nna mosola mo baaging. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)