This research investigates the communication abilities of children who are exposed to criminal investigations because a crime was committed against them or they have witnessed a crime happening to another person. The study also determines how crime detectives can maximise their efforts in obtaining evidence from such children with the help of an interview as a technique to elicit information. The aim of the research was to understand the behaviour of children, so that more effective investigative interviews can be undertaken with child victims. The researcher wanted to identify the communication challenges associated with obtaining information from child victims and possible ways to overcome such challenges. It was found that the developmental stages of children, the manner in which interviewers/investigators conduct themselves during child interviews and the amount of knowledge possessed by interviewers to elicit information in a legally defensible manner are central to child victim interviews. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Not a single day passes in South Africa without various violent crimes making the front pages of the local media. The Cape Flats in the Western Cape is one of areas which is seriously affected by violent crime. During the past three years serious violent crimes committed with a firearm have shown a sharp increase. The investigation of such crimes is, just as its prevention, a priority of the SAPS. Investigation of serious violent crime has also changed since the amalgamation of the eleven police agencies in 1996. Whereas the Murder and Robbery Unit was responsible for investigation crimes such as murder and attempted murder using a firearm before 1996, most of these crimes are nowadays investigated by members attached to local detective units. Specialist knowledge is required for the investigation of the said crimes whereas local detectives have only received training in conducting general investigations. The question arising is what is the influence of this training on the investigation of serious crime and more specifically their solution. Against this background the current state of training received by local detectives is investigated as well as the influence on the investigation of serious violent crimes. The SAPS Ravensmead Detective Service is used as a case studyforthis purpose. Practice is compared to the theory and conclusions are drawn about the influence of training on the success rate during the investigation of serious violent crimes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie 'n enkele dag gaan in Suid - Afrika verby sonder verskeie geweldsmisdade as voorbladnuus nie. Die Kaapse Vlakte in die Wes -Kaap is van die gebiede wat erg deur ernstige geweldsmisdaad geraak word. Die afgelope drie jaar het ernstige geweldsmisdaad wat gepleeg word deur die gebruik van 'n vuurwapen skerp gestyg. Die ondersoek van dié misdade is net soos die voorkoming daarvan vir die SAPD 'n prioriteit. Die ondersoek van ernstige geweldsmisdaad het na die amalgamering van elf polisie - agentskappe in 1996 verander. Waar die Moord - en - Roofeenheid voor 1996 vir die ondersoek van misdade soos moord en poging tot moord met 'n vuurwapen gepleeg, verantwoordelik was, word die meeste van die misdade nou deur lede verbonde aan plaaslike speureenhede ondersoek. Gespesialiseerde kennis word benodig vir die ondersoek van die genoemde misdade. Plaaslike speurders het slegs opleiding ontvang om algemene ondersoeke waar te neem. Die vraag wat nou ontstaan is wat is die invloed hiervan op die ondersoek van ernstige geweldsmisdaad en meer spesifiek die oplossing daarvan. Teen hierdie agtergrond word ondersoek ingestel na die huidige stand van opleiding van plaaslike speurders en die uitwerking daarvan op die ondersoek van ernstige geweldsmisdaad. Vir hierdie doeleindes word SAPD Ravensmead Speurdiens as gevalstudie gebruik. Die praktyk word met die teorie vergelyk en gevolgtrekkings word gemaak oor die invloed van opleiding op die suksessyfer in die ondersoek van ernstige geweldsmisdaad.

This study investigates the question of investigative capacity of South African Police Service general detectives at the local station level with regard to fraud investigation. The research presented in this thesis is based on a qualitative thematic analysis of the systemic investigative capacity of the detectives handling fraud and related offences. Fraud related crimes are consistently dismissed and perceived as less serious than violent crime, yet the impact of fraud affects individuals, organisations, and society. This study includes interviews with n = 15 (83%) participants out of 18 (100%) using a semi-structured interview schedule for data collection. The available literature indicates the increasing incidents of general fraud being inadequately investigated at the local police stations because of investigative incapacity. The complexities of any criminal investigation require sufficient resources to achieve the highest level of investigative performance. In this regard, criminals are gradually outwitting the conventional methods of fraud investigation, especially in terms of technological advancements. The study’s findings reveal how general detectives are systematically tested to their capacity in relation to fraud investigation – inter alia, participants identified the following challenges to meeting investigative objectives: ambiguous general fraud investigation directives, poor training, limited resources, abuse of available resources, unreasonably high workloads, and human resource shortages. These institutional factors need consideration to allow progress in criminal investigation procedures. This study creates the context for the recommendation that a series of systemic reforms be introduced, based on a professional model, pertaining specifically to fraud investigation at the local police station level. This means some of the distinct investigative practices that are effective be inverted and strengthened in recognition of the scope and complexity of general fraud, and the influence this complexity has on investigative methodology. For example, setting up proper and recognised station-level fraud units to handle incoming “general fraud” cases, staffed with trained detectives, who have access to adequate resources. This would create an opportunity to address institutional issues around training to rectify general detectives’ core skill deficiencies prior to them being assigned to criminal cases. Training should include case management, investigative procedures, and the use of technology (to effectively combat digital fraud). Moreover, it is vital to maintain an oversight over the fraud mandates which differentiate the scope of practice between vii specialist and general detectives, with a thorough understanding of what constitutes general fraud and complex, organised fraud. It is furthermore suggested that local and international best practice trends be implemented by general detectives in their fraud investigations. / Thutopatlisiso eno e sekaseka ntlha ya bokgoni jwa go batlisisa jwa matseka a kakaretso a Tirelo ya Sepodisi sa Aforikaborwa kwa legatong la seteišene sa selegae malebana le dipatlisiso tsa boferefere. Patlisiso e e tlhagisitsweng mo thesising eno e theilwe mo tshekatshekong e e supang, e tlhatlhoba le go kwala ditiragalo tsa bokgoni jwa go dira dipatlisiso jwa matseka a a dirang ka ditlolomolao tsa boferefere le tse di amanang le tseo. Bosenyi jo bo amanang le boferefere gantsi bo kgaphelwa thoko mme bo tsewa e le bosenyi jo bo sa tsenelelang go tshwana le bosenyi jwa tirisodikgoka, fela ditlamorago tsa boferefere di ama batho, ditheo le setšhaba. Thutopatlisiso eno e akaretsa dipotsolotso le banni le seabe ba le n = 15 (83%) go tswa go ba le 18 (100%), go dirisiwa sejule ya dipotsolotso e e batlileng e rulagane go kokoanya tshedimosetso. Dikwalo tse di gona di supa koketsego ya ditiragalo tsa go se batlisisiwe go go lekaneng ga boferefere jwa kakaretso kwa diteišeneng tsa selegae tsa sepodisi ka ntlha ya tlhaelo ya bokgoni jwa go batlisisa. Marara a patlisiso epe fela ya bosenyi a tlhoka ditlamelo tse di lekaneng go fitlhelela tiragatso e e kwa godimo ya patlisiso. Mo ntlheng eno, disenyi di tlhalefetse mekgwa ya tlwaelo ya dipatlisiso tsa boferefere, bogolo segolo mo ntlheng ya tswelelopele ya thekenoloji. Diphitlhelelo tsa thutopatlisiso di bontsha ka moo bokgoni jwa matseka bo lebaganang le teko e e boitshegang ka gona malebana le dipatlisiso tsa boferefere – gareng ga tse dingwe, banni le seabe ba supile dikgwetlho tse di latelang malebana le go fitlhelela maitlhomo a dipatlisiso: dikaelo tse di sa tlhamalalang ka kakaretso malebana le dipatlisiso tsa boferefere, katiso e e bokoa, ditlamelo tse di tlhaelang, tiriso e e botlhaswa ya ditlamelo tse di gona, selekano sa tiro se se kwa godimo moo go sa amogelesegeng mmogo le tlhaelo ya badiri. Dintlha tseno tsa mo setheong di tlhoka go lebelelwa go kgontsha gore go nne le tswelelopele mo ditsamaisong tsa dipatlisiso tsa bosenyi. Thutopatlisiso eno e tlhoma bokao jwa dikatlenegiso tsa gore go itsesewe diphetogo tsa thulaganyo di le mmalwa, di theilwe mo sekaong sa porofešenale, se se totileng dipatlisiso tsa boferefere kwa legatong la seteišene sa selegae sa sepodisi. viii Seno se kaya gore ditiragatso dingwe tsa dipatlisiso tse di dirang sentle di rulaganngwe sešwa le go maatlafadiwa go lebeletswe bogolo le marara a boferefere ka kakaretso, mmogo le tshusumetso ya marara ano mo mokgweng wa dipatlisiso. Seno se kaya, go naya sekai, go tlhoma diyuniti tsa boferefere tse di siameng le tse di lemogwang kwa legatong la seteišene go samagana le dikgetse tse di tsenang tsa "boferefere jwa kakaretso", di na le matseka a a katisitsweng, a a kgonang go fitlhelela ditlamelo tse di maleba. Seno se tlaa dira tšhono ya go samagana le dintlha tsa setheo malebana le katiso go lolamisa tlhaelo ya bokgoni jwa botlhokwa jwa matseka a kakaretso pele ga ba ka rebolelwa dikgetse tsa bosenyi. Katiso e tshwanetse go akaretsa tsamaiso ya dikgetse, tsamaiso ya dipatlisiso le tiriso ya thekenoloji (go lwantsha boferefere jwa dijitale ka nonofo). Mo godimo ga moo, go botlhokwa go nna le tlhokomelo ya dithomo tsa boferefere e e farologanyang tiro ya matseka a baitseanape le a kakaretso, go tlhaloganngwa sentle pharologano magareng ga boferefere jwa kakaretso le boferefere jo bo marara jo bo rulaganeng. Gape go tshitshinngwa gore matseka a kakaretso a diragatse mekgwa ya tiragatso e e gaisang ya selegae le ya boditšhabatšhaba mo dipatlisisong tsa ona tsa boferefere. / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

This research investigates the communication abilities of children who are exposed to criminal investigations because a crime was committed against them or they have witnessed a crime happening to another person. The study also determines how crime detectives can maximise their efforts in obtaining evidence from such children with the help of an interview as a technique to elicit information. The aim of the research was to understand the behaviour of children, so that more effective investigative interviews can be undertaken with child victims. The researcher wanted to identify the communication challenges associated with obtaining information from child victims and possible ways to overcome such challenges. It was found that the developmental stages of children, the manner in which interviewers/investigators conduct themselves during child interviews and the amount of knowledge possessed by interviewers to elicit information in a legally defensible manner are central to child victim interviews. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of detectives in the investigation of housebreaking cases in the Secunda Cluster. Key theoretical concepts such as criminal investigation, housebreaking, evidence and effectiveness, are defined and explained. The objectives of criminal investigation are discussed in detail. The elements of housebreaking are also explained in detail. The researcher`s findings were that the research questions were answered by all the participants, who had more than adequate knowledge on the concepts, and were sometimes in line with the literature. The researcher noted the problems identified by the participants and came up with some solutions. On the basis of the findings of this research, recommendations are made to have specialised training in the investigation of housebreaking cases. The clarification and application of the various investigation techniques to improve the effectiveness of the investigation of housebreaking cases were also recommended. Investigators should continually receive refresher in-service training on new techniques being used by criminals in committing residential housebreaking cases. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)