It is sincerely hoped that this work will motivate other researchers and in particular my colleagues to do further research in the field of cellphone technology, especially how it can be mapped to enable it to be utilised as evidence in our courts. This research aims to develop the mapping of cellphone technology as an aid in the investigation of crime. The mapping of cellphone technology refers to how cellphone technology can be utilised in crime investigation and in particular how a criminal can be placed at the scene of a crime, as a result of a cellphone call that was either made or received. To place the suspect at the scene of a crime as a result of a call made or received, cellphone records and technology of the relevant cellphone company, as well as present computer programmes can be utilised. Shortly, it can be said that a criminal can geographically be placed within a space some where on this earth. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The State as the representative of the victims of crime is expected to protect those vulnarable group of people with due regard to the rights of the perpetrators’s of crime. It is imperative that the law of general application which is aimed at protecting victims of crime, be sufficiently effective to protect the victims. The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 is aimed at assisting the police to conduct pre-trial criminal procedure in order to bring perpetrators of crime to book. Sections 36A, 36B, 36C and 37 (both previous and as amended) of the Criminal Procedure Act including chapter 5A of the South African Police Act, 1995 are explored in this dissertation. This dissertation examines the areas in the Criminal Procedure Act that make it problematic for the police to conduct efficient and effective crime detection through the ascertainment of bodily features of the suspected or accused person. The law in three foreign jurisdictions relating to this topic are investigated and compared in order to make recommendations and suggest possible solutions. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.M.

This study reflects a critical analysis of the procedures followed in child rape cases in Mpumalanga Province and in the process to enhance investigative capabilities with sound detective development. Empirical research was conducted with a literature review, docket analysis and interviews as methods to obtain information where the following important aspects were addressed: an overview of the field of forensic investigation, the shortcomings with regard to child rape investigations and correct procedures for conducting child rape investigations formulated. The study found that generally rape cases were not properly investigated, correct procedures were not followed (biological/physical evidence was not readily identified nor correctly handled) and applicable directives pertaining to child rape investigations not complied with. Investigators had a narrow understanding of the concept forensic investigation. In child rape investigations it would be of more evidential value and reliable to collect physical evidence such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva as the child’s testimony at court might not be reliable, particularly when subjected to cross examination. Rape is both a contact crime as well as a psychologically motivated crime and both aspects of the trauma needs attention during the investigation process. Crimes against women and children are also a national concern, thus making child rape a priority crime for the South African Police Service. For any successful prosecution it is necessary that policy and correct procedures are not compromised but rather strictly adhered to. The Locard Principle in relation to physical evidence such as body fluids at the crime scene needs to be focussed on during the investigation process. The research suggests that the current standing operating procedures be amended to include the critical aspects of child rape investigation such as processing of the crime scene, the search for biological evidence as well as the packaging and preservation of biological evidence. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The use of technology and science in the investigation of crime plays a major role in the resolution of complicated cases that cannot be solved by means of other available evidence during the prosecution of rape cases. The study details the importance of semen in investigation of rape cases and emphasizes that semen discovered during the investigation must be analysed in all cases of rape and used as evidence in court. The use of semen as evidence in the investigation of rape cases is a modern intervention aimed at producing evidence that is reliable and relevant. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The research is concerned with how the post-mortem report can be used as a source of information in the investigation of murder cases to identify crime, individual crimes and trace suspects, etc. The understanding of the post-mortem report, and the information which can be obtained from it, will assist the police investigators to handle murder cases in a professional way. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the existing manner in which police investigators use post-mortem reports in their investigations, with the intention of determining its strengths and weaknesses, and considering how the usage can be improved. Secondly, the researcher wanted to explore how investigators use postmortem reports as a source of information in their investigations. To accomplish this, the researcher perused international and national literature in an attempt to explore the field. The researcher wanted to apply the new research knowledge in order to develop good practice in the field. This has been done by recommending new procedures to enhance performance and to improve the conviction rate in court cases. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This research is concerned with the nature and extent of problems experienced by detectives in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information for the investigation of crime. The problems gave rise to poor detective performance. The development of information-led policing offers an alternative to the traditional ”reactive” model of investigation of crime. Information-led policing advocates the targeting, gathering, analysis and dissemination of information which is used to inform decisions about the prioritisation of problems and allocation of resources to address the problems (Cope, as quoted by Alison, 2005:93). The purpose of this study is to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information at the Rustenburg Detective Service, to find new knowledge that can improve the situation, and to apply the found knowledge to enhance the performance of detectives. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The main focus of this dissertation was to evaluate the evidential value of crime scene investigation in child rape cases. There are two kinds of crime scenes that needed to be processed in sexual crimes. Firstly is the location of occurrence and secondly is the victim's body. The crime scene is in any crime the major source of information if correctly approach, but even more so in a child rape investigations. A few crimes rely so heavily upon physical evidence as does the crime of rape. It is therefore essential that all rape investigators have first-class knowledge of proper crime scene investigation methods and techniques. Since crime scenes not properly protected or process may fail the investigation in court and as a result see the suspect acquitted. The following physical evidence could link and assist the investigator to individualise the suspect during thorough crime scene investigation; body fluids such as semen, blood, saliva. Other evidence of physical nature commonly found at crime scenes includes fingerprints, footprints (impression evidence); soil evidence, hair evidence, and anything in general handled or left behind by the rapist at the crime scene. This dissertation strives to provide the Investigator with answers on, how, where, and when to process the crime scene. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Crime in South Africa is very close to getting out of control. There is a dramatic increase especially in violent crimes such as murder, hijacking, business robberies, house robberies, rapes and armed robberies where innocent people get killed daily. This has the public shivering in fear. The South African Police Service are responsible for the prevention and investigation of all crimes committed. The Detective Service has the unpleasant task of hunting down the criminals that are responsible for committing these crimes. When a crime is committed and a suspect is arrested, the detectives must use all techniques and methods available to them to connect the suspect with the crime. The positive linkage of a suspect with a crime can lead to a conviction in court and one less criminal on the streets of South Africa. One technique that can be used is pointing out of a crime scene. This research is all about the pointing out of crime scenes. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Democratic and accountable policing is one of the hallmarks of democracy. In a healthy democracy, a police service exists to protect and support the rights of its community by successfully listening to those who are laying complaints and resolving to assist them by bringing the perpetrators to the grinding wheels of justice. Encouraging and ensuring that police officials utilise the most modern means of investigation such as the DNA technology, provides the necessary balance to the exercise of professional discretion and heightened conviction rate by the police officials. The utilisation of biological evidence in investigation of rape cases is such a modern intervention – a way of providing insulation against internal and external interference with the proper and successful investigation of rape cases. / Forensic Investigation / 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)