The aim of this descriptive research was to determine the methods of case linkage (methods to link murder cases to each other as well as to link the murder series to one offender) employed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate serial murder in South Africa and to comprehensively explain them. A qualitative approach was employed with a multi-method data collection process which included case study, interviews and literature review in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the subject. The methods of case linkage are explained within three phases of a serial murder investigation: the identification phase, the investigation and apprehension phase, and the trial and sentencing phase. The main findings of the study revealed the need for further training of the SAPS members and the need for a Standing Operating Procedure to be implemented to specifically govern the system of investigation for a serial murder case. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

In this study the main focus of the researcher was to analyse a cheque to identify crime. This study intends to give the forensic investigator a guideline to follow during the analysis of a cheque under investigation. Crimes that could be detected during the analysis of a cheque are fraud, forgery and uttering. Other aspects were also explained to ensure a better understanding of the study, namely: forensic investigation, forensic investigator, identification and crime scenes. Forensic investigation is a systematic search for the truth with the primary purpose of finding a positive solution to a crime. Forensic investigation is not a game of chance, or based on storybook types of coincidences. Therefore, forensic investigators cannot rely on coincidental success to come their way. It is true that luck sometimes plays a role in forensic investigations, but it is the thorough investigator who creates his/her own opportunities and arrives at the right place at the right time. In order for a forensic investigator to strive for excellence, he/she must have a good knowledge of his/her field of work. It is important for the forensic investigator to understand that identification plays an important role in forensic investigation. An additional benefit is derived when one can individualise something because it makes the identification much more valuable. All crime scenes should furthermore be managed in such a way that all physical evidence can be collected in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction in a court of law. It is the belief of the researcher that because cheques are not acknowledged as crime scenes and therefore not properly handled or protected, many investigations fail in court and the accused are acquitted. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

My goal in this research was to develop a checklist for examining a cheque for information that can be used to identify, individualise and trace the perpetrator of a crime. A further intent was to share and introduce a number of important concepts, namely forensic investigation, identification, individualisation, the Locard principle and crime scene. This research will explain that forensic investigation refers to the using of sophisticated investigation techniques to obtain sufficient information to prove the true facts in a court of law. Further, that identification is the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which an object is definitively recognisable or known, while the individual characteristics establish the individuality of a specific object. To link an individual with a crime scene, many types of evidence may be used and to associate an individual with the performed illegal handling, many types of evidence may be used. These types of evidence are commonly referred to as ”transfer” evidence. This process is also referred to as the ”Locard principle”. Lastly, a crime scene is explained as a place where a crime has occurred. It is also explained to be a ”laboratory of information” and therefore, during a cheque fraud investigation, the cheque is in most cases the only link to information to trace, identify and individualise the perpetrator. Therefore, the cheque should be treated as a crime scene. If forensic investigators use their knowledge of these concepts together with the checklist, it should enhance their investigation skills and empower them to become better equipped for the challenges they face in identifying, individualising and tracing the perpetrators in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction. I believe all forensic investigators will benefit from what I have discovered through this research and I am very pleased to be able to introduce this checklist to you. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The purpose of the research was to establish action steps than can assist the criminal investigator in the processing of information into evidence for prosecution purposes, by focusing on the basic principles of criminal investigation from where information sources could be utilised to their full potential in the search for the truth. The researcher evaluated the current methods that investigators within the SAPS use and read extensively on the topic in international literature sources. The research used an empirical research design because of the limited information available, and a qualitative research approach which enabled real-life observations. Simple random sampling was used to interview 30 experienced investigators each with more than five years experience and purposive sampling was used to identify five expert respondents who had more than 30 years' investigation experience. Data was obtained from their real-life experiences and data was further collected through case studies of case dockets. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic investigation)

The problem encountered by the researcher was that the South African Police Service Cyber-Crimes Unit is experiencing problems in seizing computer evidence. The following problems were identified by the researcher in practice: evidence is destroyed or lost because of mishandling by investigators; computer evidence is often not obtained or recognised, due to a lack of knowledge and skills on the part of investigators to properly seize computer evidence; difficulties to establish authenticity and initiate a chain of custody for the seized evidence; current training that is offered is unable to cover critical steps in the performance of seizing computer evidence; computer seizure as a technique requires specialised knowledge and continuous training, because the information technology industry is an ever-changing area. An empirical research design, followed by a qualitative research approach, allowed the researcher to also obtain information from practice. A thorough literature study, complemented by interviews, was done to collect the required data for the research. Members of the South African Police Cyber-crime Unit and prosecutors dealing with cyber-crime cases were interviewed to obtain their input into, and experiences on, the topic. The aim of the study was to explore the role of computers in the forensic investigation process, and to determine how computers can be seized without compromising evidence. The study therefore also aimed at creating an understanding and awareness about the slippery nature of computer evidence, and how it can find its way to the court of law without being compromised. The research has revealed that computer crime is different from common law or traditional crimes. It is complicated, and therefore only skilled and qualified forensic experts should be used to seize computer evidence, to ensure that the evidence is not compromised. Training of cyber-crime technicians has to be priority, in order to be successful in seizing computers. / Department of Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

As últimas décadas trouxeram grandes avanços tecnológicos às ciências forenses. Um dos marcos dessa evolução foram às pesquisas e os resultados obtidos com a aplicação da Biologia Molecular, como ferramenta de identificação humana a partir da década de 80. Desde então, novos estudos vêm sendo realizados nesta área. Vestígios encontrados em locais de crime são elementos que irão orientar na busca pela elucidação dos fatos. Existem dois tipos de vestígios: os macrovestígios, facilmente identificados e os microvestígios que demandam análises técnicas mais específicas. Dentre os microvestígios, tem-se a impressão digital, que se tornou uma possível fonte de extração de DNA, com um grande potencial de recuperação do material genético. Este trabalho objetivou analisar amostras coletadas em microvestígios de impressões digitais em vários objetos escolhidos como superfície de deposição sendo elas, vidro, metal, plástico, madeira e parede de alvenaria, demonstrando que é possível estabelecer uma ligação entre as amostras de DNA e as impressões digitais encontradas. As amostras foram coletadas de impressões latentes intactas e em esfregaço e impressões digitais intactas e em esfregaço com pó. Os resultados demonstraram a viabilidade de utilização deste tipo de amostra, tendo em vista a recuperação de DNA e o êxito da genotipagem. Os resultados obtidos nas diferentes matrizes analisadas evidenciaram maior êxito na superfície de metal, onde foi possível obter perfil genético íntegro em todas as amostras coletadas e analisadas. Com relação à matriz vidro, nas amostras “intacta latente” e “esfregaço latente” foi possível recuperar perfil genético com mais de 17 locos amplificados. Já nas amostras “intactas e esfregaço com pó”, mesmo com a confirmação da presença de DNA, as quantidades recuperadas foram insuficientes para gerar o eletroferograma. Na matriz madeira, assim como na matriz plástico, foi constatada a presença de DNA, mas em baixa concentração para gerar o eletroferograma. E, por último, as amostras coletadas da matriz parede de alvenaria “intacta latente” e “intacta com pó”, apresentaram respectivamente amplificação de 17 e 19 locos dos 24 presentes no kit. Estudos e experimentos já tornaram esta metodologia viável no Laboratório de Genética Molecular Forense da Polícia Científica do Estado do Paraná, com resultados positivos em diversos casos, identificando suspeitos e contribuindo com a Rede Integrada de Banco de Perfis Genéticos (RIBPG). Os resultados demonstraram a eficiência e a possibilidade de se obter um perfil genético quando se trabalha com este tipo de amostra, tornando esta mais uma ferramenta pericial. / The last decades have brought great technological advances to the Forensic Sciences. The Molecular Biology has been used as a tool for human identification since the 80´s, and it has bought fantastic results from this application, being a landmark in the evolution of Forensic Science. Since this decade, new studies have been carried out in this area. Traces found in crime scenes are elements that can guide the search for the elucidation of the facts. There are two types of traces: macro-traces, that are easily identified and micro-traces that requires more specific technical analysis. One of the traces is the digital fingerprint, that is a possible source of DNA extraction, with great potential for recovery of the genetic material. This research has the purpose to analyze samples collected from fingerprints on various objects chosen as deposition surface, such as glass, metal, plastic, wood and masonry wall. This research shows that it is possible to establish a connection between DNA samples and fingerprints. Samples have been collected from intact and intact smears and fingerprints intact and smeared with powder. The results showed the feasibility of using this type of sample, based on the DNA recovery and the success of the genotyping. The results obtained in the different matrices analyzed showed greater results in the metal surface, where it was possible to obtain a complete genetic profile in all the samples Collected and analyzed. In the glass matrix, either the samples "latent intact" or in "latent smear" it was possible to recover genetic profile with more than 17 amplified loci. In the "intact and powder smear" samples, even with confirmation of the presence of DNA, the quantities recovered were insufficient to generate the electropherogram. In the wood matrix, such as in the plastic matrix, the presence of DNA was observed, but at low concentration to generate the electropherogram. Finally, the samples collected from the "latent intact" and "intact with powder" masonry wall samples, respectively, showed amplification of 17 and 19 loci of the 24 present in the kit. Some Studies and experiments have been done in the Forensic Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Scientific Police in Paraná with positive results in many cases, identifying suspects and contributing to the Integrated Network of Gene Prolifiling Banks (RIBPG). These studies have made this methodology feasible. The results show the efficiency and the possibility of obtaining a genetic profile from this type of sample, making this one more important pericial tool.

As últimas décadas trouxeram grandes avanços tecnológicos às ciências forenses. Um dos marcos dessa evolução foram às pesquisas e os resultados obtidos com a aplicação da Biologia Molecular, como ferramenta de identificação humana a partir da década de 80. Desde então, novos estudos vêm sendo realizados nesta área. Vestígios encontrados em locais de crime são elementos que irão orientar na busca pela elucidação dos fatos. Existem dois tipos de vestígios: os macrovestígios, facilmente identificados e os microvestígios que demandam análises técnicas mais específicas. Dentre os microvestígios, tem-se a impressão digital, que se tornou uma possível fonte de extração de DNA, com um grande potencial de recuperação do material genético. Este trabalho objetivou analisar amostras coletadas em microvestígios de impressões digitais em vários objetos escolhidos como superfície de deposição sendo elas, vidro, metal, plástico, madeira e parede de alvenaria, demonstrando que é possível estabelecer uma ligação entre as amostras de DNA e as impressões digitais encontradas. As amostras foram coletadas de impressões latentes intactas e em esfregaço e impressões digitais intactas e em esfregaço com pó. Os resultados demonstraram a viabilidade de utilização deste tipo de amostra, tendo em vista a recuperação de DNA e o êxito da genotipagem. Os resultados obtidos nas diferentes matrizes analisadas evidenciaram maior êxito na superfície de metal, onde foi possível obter perfil genético íntegro em todas as amostras coletadas e analisadas. Com relação à matriz vidro, nas amostras “intacta latente” e “esfregaço latente” foi possível recuperar perfil genético com mais de 17 locos amplificados. Já nas amostras “intactas e esfregaço com pó”, mesmo com a confirmação da presença de DNA, as quantidades recuperadas foram insuficientes para gerar o eletroferograma. Na matriz madeira, assim como na matriz plástico, foi constatada a presença de DNA, mas em baixa concentração para gerar o eletroferograma. E, por último, as amostras coletadas da matriz parede de alvenaria “intacta latente” e “intacta com pó”, apresentaram respectivamente amplificação de 17 e 19 locos dos 24 presentes no kit. Estudos e experimentos já tornaram esta metodologia viável no Laboratório de Genética Molecular Forense da Polícia Científica do Estado do Paraná, com resultados positivos em diversos casos, identificando suspeitos e contribuindo com a Rede Integrada de Banco de Perfis Genéticos (RIBPG). Os resultados demonstraram a eficiência e a possibilidade de se obter um perfil genético quando se trabalha com este tipo de amostra, tornando esta mais uma ferramenta pericial. / The last decades have brought great technological advances to the Forensic Sciences. The Molecular Biology has been used as a tool for human identification since the 80´s, and it has bought fantastic results from this application, being a landmark in the evolution of Forensic Science. Since this decade, new studies have been carried out in this area. Traces found in crime scenes are elements that can guide the search for the elucidation of the facts. There are two types of traces: macro-traces, that are easily identified and micro-traces that requires more specific technical analysis. One of the traces is the digital fingerprint, that is a possible source of DNA extraction, with great potential for recovery of the genetic material. This research has the purpose to analyze samples collected from fingerprints on various objects chosen as deposition surface, such as glass, metal, plastic, wood and masonry wall. This research shows that it is possible to establish a connection between DNA samples and fingerprints. Samples have been collected from intact and intact smears and fingerprints intact and smeared with powder. The results showed the feasibility of using this type of sample, based on the DNA recovery and the success of the genotyping. The results obtained in the different matrices analyzed showed greater results in the metal surface, where it was possible to obtain a complete genetic profile in all the samples Collected and analyzed. In the glass matrix, either the samples "latent intact" or in "latent smear" it was possible to recover genetic profile with more than 17 amplified loci. In the "intact and powder smear" samples, even with confirmation of the presence of DNA, the quantities recovered were insufficient to generate the electropherogram. In the wood matrix, such as in the plastic matrix, the presence of DNA was observed, but at low concentration to generate the electropherogram. Finally, the samples collected from the "latent intact" and "intact with powder" masonry wall samples, respectively, showed amplification of 17 and 19 loci of the 24 present in the kit. Some Studies and experiments have been done in the Forensic Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Scientific Police in Paraná with positive results in many cases, identifying suspects and contributing to the Integrated Network of Gene Prolifiling Banks (RIBPG). These studies have made this methodology feasible. The results show the efficiency and the possibility of obtaining a genetic profile from this type of sample, making this one more important pericial tool.

The research attempts to establish how modus operandi can be used to identify suspects in burglary cases. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the concept modus operandi, its elements, its influence and its values. To achieve the goals and objectives of the practice of modus operandi, investigators must know how to apply modus operandi, what the situational factors are during a criminal act, and how to use it as technique to identify suspects in burglary cases. The direction by implication and clarification of the crime situation is hardly possible without the determination of the identity of the perpetrator or suspect of a criminal act. The recognition of the modus operandi system as any form of evidence gathering is of outmost importance. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic investigation)

The problem that the researcher encountered was that forensic investigators were found not to be formally using offender profiling as an investigative technique during investigations into fraud. This research was conducted to ascertain how offender profiling may be useful in expediting the forensic investigation process. The purpose of this research was to establish what offender profiling is, and what aspects or ingredients constitute such an offender profile. As offender profiles will serve as an aid in future forensic investigations into fraud, this study attempted to create an understanding and awareness of the value of offender profiling. In order for forensic investigators to use offender profiling during routine fraud investigations, it is extremely important that they understand the concept and its practical implementation. The overall purpose of this study is to provide practical recommendations for the implementation and use of offender profiling to forensic investigators both in the public and private sectors. / Criminal and Procedural Law / (M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation))

The problem that the researcher encountered was that forensic investigators were found not to be formally using offender profiling as an investigative technique during investigations into fraud. This research was conducted to ascertain how offender profiling may be useful in expediting the forensic investigation process. The purpose of this research was to establish what offender profiling is, and what aspects or ingredients constitute such an offender profile. As offender profiles will serve as an aid in future forensic investigations into fraud, this study attempted to create an understanding and awareness of the value of offender profiling. In order for forensic investigators to use offender profiling during routine fraud investigations, it is extremely important that they understand the concept and its practical implementation. The overall purpose of this study is to provide practical recommendations for the implementation and use of offender profiling to forensic investigators both in the public and private sectors. / Criminal and Procedural Law / (M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation))