Motivation This project was of specific importance to the private security industry, victims of residential burglary, community policing forums and the South African Police Service in providing detailed information regarding recommendations of how to manage and combat residential burglary in two selected northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Problem statement Residential burglary is categorised in the top three highest reported crimes according to the official South African Police Service statistics for the 2006/7 financial years. A series of victim interviews, docket analysis, case plotting and residential security audit surveys were conducted to determine the extent (or lack thereof) of security measures at a burgled residence in the selected area. Approach Field data was collected through docket analysis, plotting crime scenes (descriptive mapping), victim interviews and residential security audit surveys. Results The majority of victims of burglary interviewed did not have the minimum security system (integrated measures) in place. Those victims, who had security measures, appeared not to have made or implemented effective use of them. Conclusion Security at a residence extends beyond just the immediate house area and the focus (security risk assessment) should start with the immediate neighbourhood (community) area working inwards towards the property perimeter (boundary), inner perimeter (garden area) and then finally the immediate house area. / CRIMINOLOGY / MTECH: SECURITY RISK MAN

Motivation This project was of specific importance to the private security industry, victims of residential burglary, community policing forums and the South African Police Service in providing detailed information regarding recommendations of how to manage and combat residential burglary in two selected northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Problem statement Residential burglary is categorised in the top three highest reported crimes according to the official South African Police Service statistics for the 2006/7 financial years. A series of victim interviews, docket analysis, case plotting and residential security audit surveys were conducted to determine the extent (or lack thereof) of security measures at a burgled residence in the selected area. Approach Field data was collected through docket analysis, plotting crime scenes (descriptive mapping), victim interviews and residential security audit surveys. Results The majority of victims of burglary interviewed did not have the minimum security system (integrated measures) in place. Those victims, who had security measures, appeared not to have made or implemented effective use of them. Conclusion Security at a residence extends beyond just the immediate house area and the focus (security risk assessment) should start with the immediate neighbourhood (community) area working inwards towards the property perimeter (boundary), inner perimeter (garden area) and then finally the immediate house area. / CRIMINOLOGY / MTECH: SECURITY RISK MAN

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The research question of this study is to determine what circumstances and conditions contribute to deaths in police cells. The study was undertaken in order to establish the causes of deaths in police cells and the factors which contribute thereto, as well as to determine the best international practices to prevent deaths in police cells. The literature was reviewed in order to establish the extent to which this phenomenon has been researched in South Africa and in other countries and to determine the regulatory framework related thereto. The researcher had collected data from the dockets relating to deaths in police cells which were kept at the IPID provincial offices in Gauteng and Limpopo. The data were collected by using the docket analysis schedule and were categorised into themes during the analysis process. Four cause of deaths in police cells were identified, namely, suicide, natural causes, assault by fellow detainees and injuries which were sustained prior to detention. Suicide is the leading cause of deaths. The second leading causes of deaths in police cells are natural causes and assault by fellow detainees. Deaths as a result of injuries sustained prior to detention came third. The most common ligatures which were used to commit suicide are shoe-laces, belts and strips torn from clothing and bedding items. The preferred ligature points are the burglar proof bars on cell windows. Booted feet and hands were the most common instruments used to inflict fatal injuries on the detainees. It was also found that police officials are generally not complying fully with the standing orders which regulate the management of people who are detained in police cells. The failure of police officials to comply fully with the standing orders on custody in police cells contributed to the deaths of detainees in police cells. Recommendations are made to prevent the deaths of detainees in police cells. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The research question of this study is to determine what circumstances and conditions contribute to deaths in police cells. The study was undertaken in order to establish the causes of deaths in police cells and the factors which contribute thereto, as well as to determine the best international practices to prevent deaths in police cells. The literature was reviewed in order to establish the extent to which this phenomenon has been researched in South Africa and in other countries and to determine the regulatory framework related thereto. The researcher had collected data from the dockets relating to deaths in police cells which were kept at the IPID provincial offices in Gauteng and Limpopo. The data were collected by using the docket analysis schedule and were categorised into themes during the analysis process. Four cause of deaths in police cells were identified, namely, suicide, natural causes, assault by fellow detainees and injuries which were sustained prior to detention. Suicide is the leading cause of deaths. The second leading causes of deaths in police cells are natural causes and assault by fellow detainees. Deaths as a result of injuries sustained prior to detention came third. The most common ligatures which were used to commit suicide are shoe-laces, belts and strips torn from clothing and bedding items. The preferred ligature points are the burglar proof bars on cell windows. Booted feet and hands were the most common instruments used to inflict fatal injuries on the detainees. It was also found that police officials are generally not complying fully with the standing orders which regulate the management of people who are detained in police cells. The failure of police officials to comply fully with the standing orders on custody in police cells contributed to the deaths of detainees in police cells. Recommendations are made to prevent the deaths of detainees in police cells. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The study investigated the application of the crime threat analysis process at station level within the Nelson Mandela Metro City area with the objective of determining inhibiting factors (constraints) and best practices. Qualitative research methodology was applied and interviews were conducted with crime analysts and specialised investigators/intelligence analysts. The research design can be best described as descriptive and explorative in nature. The crime threat analysis process embroils the application of various crime analysis techniques and the outcomes thereof intends to have a dual purpose of generating operational crime management information in assisting crime prevention initiatives and crime detection efforts, mainly focussing on the criminal activities of group offenders (organised crime related), repeat offenders and serial offenders. During the study it became evident that crime analysts understand and thus apply the crime threat analysis process indifferently, which impeded on the relevancy and the utilisation thereof as an effective crime management tool. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Policing)

The study investigated the application of the crime threat analysis process at station level within the Nelson Mandela Metro City area with the objective of determining inhibiting factors (constraints) and best practices. Qualitative research methodology was applied and interviews were conducted with crime analysts and specialised investigators/intelligence analysts. The research design can be best described as descriptive and explorative in nature. The crime threat analysis process embroils the application of various crime analysis techniques and the outcomes thereof intends to have a dual purpose of generating operational crime management information in assisting crime prevention initiatives and crime detection efforts, mainly focussing on the criminal activities of group offenders (organised crime related), repeat offenders and serial offenders. During the study it became evident that crime analysts understand and thus apply the crime threat analysis process indifferently, which impeded on the relevancy and the utilisation thereof as an effective crime management tool. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Policing)