Inaug.-Diss. -- Erlangen. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-64).

Public, Constitutional, & International / LLD

Public, Constitutional, and International / LL. D.

This dissertation consists of five chapters, each of which focuses on various aspects of the forensic discipline of Firearms and Toolmarks. This dissertation for the most part attempts to highlight the exposure of projectiles to blood and the degradation over time of the fine detail, which is necessary for microscopic examination. This study should be of interest to students and qualified role-players in forensic science, the criminal justice system, the law community and the general population globally. Chapter 1 identifies the research problem and the necessary steps that were taken to ensure that the research methodol.ogy applied is relevant and reliable. Chapter 2 focuses on various factors that have to be considered in damage to bullets and investigation procedures that should be followed to ensure that physical evidence is preserved for submitting to a forensic science laboratory. Chapter 3 investigates the degradation effects of fired bullets exposed to various materials in a laboratory environment and the timelines associated with the degradation effects. Chapter 4 evaluates the examination procedures for fired bullets and the contributing factors that may influence the striation marks on bullets needed for microscopic examination. It also examines the scientific method used for firearm identification, and explores the admissibility of physical evidence in a court of law. The final chapter, Chapter 5 discusses the findings and recommendation of this research study. / Criminology / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This dissertation consists of five chapters, each of which focuses on various aspects of the forensic discipline of Firearms and Toolmarks. This dissertation for the most part attempts to highlight the exposure of projectiles to blood and the degradation over time of the fine detail, which is necessary for microscopic examination. This study should be of interest to students and qualified role-players in forensic science, the criminal justice system, the law community and the general population globally. Chapter 1 identifies the research problem and the necessary steps that were taken to ensure that the research methodol.ogy applied is relevant and reliable. Chapter 2 focuses on various factors that have to be considered in damage to bullets and investigation procedures that should be followed to ensure that physical evidence is preserved for submitting to a forensic science laboratory. Chapter 3 investigates the degradation effects of fired bullets exposed to various materials in a laboratory environment and the timelines associated with the degradation effects. Chapter 4 evaluates the examination procedures for fired bullets and the contributing factors that may influence the striation marks on bullets needed for microscopic examination. It also examines the scientific method used for firearm identification, and explores the admissibility of physical evidence in a court of law. The final chapter, Chapter 5 discusses the findings and recommendation of this research study. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The study was conducted with the intention of identifying the current procedure employed by investigators for processing firearms evidence at a crime scene. The researcher identified shortcomings which prevent firearm evidence being found to be inadmissible in criminal proceedings. The researcher also analysed other aspects relating to the processing of firearm evidence at a crime scene, namely: Locard principle, identification, individualisation and physical integrity. In order for investigators to be successful in their investigation of cases involving firearms, it is imperative for investigators to have a clear understanding of the basic concepts surrounding firearm evidence processing. It is the strong belief of the researcher that because of improper handling, contamination and lack of integrity pertaining to firearm evidence, such evidence is being found to be inadmissible in criminal proceedings. This negative impact has a roll over effect on the conviction rate for serious crime. / Criminology / M. Tech. (Forensic Invesigation)

The study was conducted with the intention of identifying the current procedure employed by investigators for processing firearms evidence at a crime scene. The researcher identified shortcomings which prevent firearm evidence being found to be inadmissible in criminal proceedings. The researcher also analysed other aspects relating to the processing of firearm evidence at a crime scene, namely: Locard principle, identification, individualisation and physical integrity. In order for investigators to be successful in their investigation of cases involving firearms, it is imperative for investigators to have a clear understanding of the basic concepts surrounding firearm evidence processing. It is the strong belief of the researcher that because of improper handling, contamination and lack of integrity pertaining to firearm evidence, such evidence is being found to be inadmissible in criminal proceedings. This negative impact has a roll over effect on the conviction rate for serious crime. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Invesigation)

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))

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)