Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-201). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29323

This study proposes the classification of the toolmark under the heads of zipper teeth as a subclass characteristic as outlined by the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE). Two separate cases in which zipper teeth were found at crime scenes prompted this study. Brass zipper teeth manufactured by YKK were taken from 20 pairs of jeans and studied using a Reichert comparison microscope at 4X power. Photographs were taken and over 750 comparisons made. It was found that the toolmarks on each side on the 20 zippers were unique and independent of all other sides. The observations made in this study indicate that classifying zipper teeth toolmarks as a subclass characteristic is valid.

Forensic Palynology has helped to solve crimes ranging from fraud to murder. Pollen is ubiquitous, almost indestructible and microscopic in size. It is often sticky and easily carried, undetected, from one place to another. As pollen is unique to a plant species, combinations of pollen types (pollen assemblages) present in soil or other samples can identify the type of environment, and often the exact location, from which a sample originated. Although Forensic Palynology has been used routinely in New Zealand for over 25 years, is commonly used in the United Kingdom and has been used in several cases in Australia in the past ten years, little research has been done in this field. In Australia, police require an initial broad palynological analysis of samples from a crime scene prior to approving a more detailed analysis. This project investigates palynological samples from two superficially similar environments that could potentially be a crime scene and alibi location, in order to determine if they can be broadly distinguished from each other. Two Perth metropolitan wetlands, Herdsman Lake and Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, were chosen for study as potential sites for assaults and clandestine burials. Four sites within each wetland, with correspondingly similar vegetation communities, were sampled at surface level in different seasons. At three sites, 50 cm cores were taken and sampled at seven levels to simulate shallow grave profiles. Samples were prepared and analysed using standard palynological techniques. Surface and core (grave profile) pollen assemblages were compared site by site within each wetland, and with the corresponding site of the other wetland. The grave profile assemblages for each core were combined and averaged to represent mixed 'burial assemblages', and similarly compared across and within wetlands. Palynological analysis established that the surface soil samples were characteristic of wetland environments. The different vegetation sites in each wetland, and the corresponding vegetation site in the other wetland, were broadly palynologically distinct. The season in which samples were collected was difficult to determine. Grave profile assemblages generally differed from surface samples at each site, and broadly differed across and between the two wetlands, but the differences in the 'burial assemblages' were less marked. The findings of this study confirm that broad palynological analysis can differentiate between two wetlands at surface level and downhole, and that samples at different depths in a grave should be separately analysed. Collection of control samples from similar and possible alibi environments is essential. Caution should be taken when palynologically interpreting the season in which a crime was committed.

Crime scene examiners (CSEs) spend long hours at traumatic crime scenes, and interact closely with various elements of crime scenes. The topic has only recently attracted international research interest, and in the South African context the offering is meagre. The study set out to determine the profile of Southern Gauteng CSEs; to establish the scope of their tasks and responsibilities; to ascertain their trauma levels in relation to traumatic crime scenes and autopsies; to identify the specific coping strategies they use; to determine their context-specific experiences of job-related stress and trauma; and to ascertain the measure to which they experience contentedness within their workplace and their views on both briefing and debriefing. In pursuit of the objectives of the study, the research paradigm was rooted in positivism. Consequently, a quantitative approach was adopted and a cross-sectional design was employed. Through convenience sampling, 103 respondents were recruited from all eight Local Criminal Record Centres (LCRCs) in Southern Gauteng. The data gathering instrument was a paper-based, self-administered structured questionnaire, which included two standardised measuring instruments for trauma levels and coping strategies respectively. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests indicated that non-parametric statistical procedures were required. Using the Mann Whitney U test, bivariate analysis allowed for testing the relationships between variables. The findings demonstrate that male CSEs outnumber female CSEs by approximately 3:1. CSEs attend violent crime scenes with striking regularity, but autopsies less frequently. Significant proportions of CSEs are routinely required to both take photographs of crime scenes and compile photo albums. A sizeable number of CSEs present with concerning levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomology. The coping strategy adopted by majority of respondents is acceptance. Although attended less frequently, crime scenes involving deceased children are experienced as very distressing. A large proportion of CSEs are hesitant to access debriefing services, for numerous reasons, despite feeling the need to talk to someone about their work. The trauma experienced by CSEs is unique compared with other policing units. Therefore, it is recommended that trauma interventions should be responsive to their needs. Lastly, the CSEs who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions seem to be at significant risk, and thus they should receive special attention in future interventions. Keywords: crime scene examiner, Local Criminal Record Centres, trauma, traumatic event, crime scene, traumatic crime scene, emotional stress, coping strategy, autopsy, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Southern Gauteng. / Dissertation (MA (Criminology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Social Work and Criminology / MA (Criminology) / Restricted

It is said that "one picture is worth a thousand words". This implies that pictorial testimony has more value than ten witnesses. The witnesses may give different views on the same issue, and, furthermore, they may forget some of the facts. Due to human error, omission, and defects such as old age and sight problems, they are contributing factors for people to give different accounts of the same events. The study entails the various roles of photography, such as recording the crime scene and that photography is considered as evidence in court. Investigators may use them for both suspects' and witnesses' interviewing. Furthermore, witnesses and victims may use them to refresh their memories, and the court uses them to prove the matter at issue. This indicates that photographs have a major role to play in the judicial and investigation processes. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

It is said that "one picture is worth a thousand words". This implies that pictorial testimony has more value than ten witnesses. The witnesses may give different views on the same issue, and, furthermore, they may forget some of the facts. Due to human error, omission, and defects such as old age and sight problems, they are contributing factors for people to give different accounts of the same events. The study entails the various roles of photography, such as recording the crime scene and that photography is considered as evidence in court. Investigators may use them for both suspects' and witnesses' interviewing. Furthermore, witnesses and victims may use them to refresh their memories, and the court uses them to prove the matter at issue. This indicates that photographs have a major role to play in the judicial and investigation processes. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Investigating a crime of rape relies heavily upon physical evidence, which provides the court with tangible objects that are not subject to memory loss. The recognition ofphysical evidence plays a critical role in the investigation process. The first step of crime scene investigation is to conduct observation to locate valuable physical evidence; a task that depends on the skills of the investigating officer. The more common types of physical evidence that could link a suspect to the crime were identified in this study. This dissertation endeavours to provide crime scene investigators with answers on how to conduct observation at a rape crime scene. This research is based on interviews and a literature study, and will furnish insight and information about the observation process at rape crime scenes. The findings of the research may generate guidelines for crime scene observation. Recommendations and conclusions are indicated in the final chapter. / Police Practice / M. Tech (Forensic Investigation)

Rape is a serious crime and is a huge problem in Ethiopia. It has a devastating effect on the victim and society as a whole. The Ethiopian news is peppered with reports of this crime. Anorganized and sophisticated way in which the perpetrators of rape can be identified is by the use of modus operandi information. The aim of this research is to evaluate how modus operandi can be used as a perpetrator identification technique in the investigation of rape cases in the Gulele policing area. For any investigation to be successful, the investigator must have the objectives of crime investigation in mind. In the investigation of crime, the collection of evidence is important and there are two basic important principles, namely Locard’s principle and the chain of custody that investigator must comply with. These will ensure that evidence is admissible during a trial. Evidence is found on a crime scene. In rape cases, the body of the perpetrator and the victim can be seen as the crime scene. For evidence to be applicable to the investigation, it must first be identified and then individualised. It is important for investigators to be familiar with the concept of modus operandi, and the influencing factors. The purpose of this research is to provide practical recommendations on the best practices for the use of modus operandi. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The main purpose of this research is to assess the utilisation of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) in rape crime scenes. First responders need to attend to the crime scene and secure it as soon as possible. Other role-players such as the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) investigator and LCRC fieldworkers should be activated by the first responder to the rape crime scene. Ideally, role-players should be activated as soon as the case is reported to the first responder. Members of the LCRC are responsible for recording the crime scene by taking photographs, making video recordings and drawing sketch plans of the scene. The LCRC is also responsible for processing the rape scene for physical evidence such as fingerprints, blood, hair, semen and saliva. The crime scene is a major source of information as far as physical evidence is concerned. The body of the victim is also a major source of physical evidence. It is therefore essential to have the rape victim examined by a medical examiner and the crime scene to be processed by the LCRC fieldworker timeously, in order to secure physical evidence that could be used to individualise a suspect. The discovery of physical evidence could place the suspect on the scene of crime and link such suspect to the crime committed. The physical evidence could also assist in corroborating the version of events from the victim. The physical evidence could also be used to exclude suspects as well. This dissertation seeks to highlight the importance of having the LCRC processing rape crime scenes for physical evidence and to emphasise the responsibility of the first responders to activate LCRC fieldworkers to process the scene of incident timeously, in order to maximise physical evidence recovery. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Serious and violent crime in South Africa (SA) has been on the rise in the last few years. The SAPS has been stretched to the maximum in its efforts of trying to stabilise the situation, and has applied various tactics and strategies to eradicate crime. This included, among other things, changes to the basic training programme and reintroduction of specialised units. The success or failure of any criminal investigation will still often depend on the detection and analysis of physical evidence found on the crime scene. Crimes such as rape will always leave behind physical evidence in the form of body-fluids. The detectives need not be experts in order to detect or analyse this physical evidence, but should be experienced enough to know which experts or investigative aids must be used to ensure maximum recovery of the evidence. The purpose of this study was to determine how the Biological Body-fluid Dog (BBFD) can assist detectives in the investigation of rape cases. The researcher has chosen a unique investigative aid in the form of man’s best friend, namely “The Police K9” (canine). The literature shows that trained police dogs have achieved outstanding success in numerous fields around the world, i.e. from narcotic busts, detection of explosives, to countering terrorist threats, to the most chilling search-and-rescue operations. The SAPS has sent its search-and-rescue dogs to many countries abroad to assist in natural disasters. Dogs have been trained by various police agencies for various purposes, but the BBFD dog is unique to the SAPS, and is trained to detect only human blood and semen. The use of K9s in the complex forensic science environment can never be doubted or overlooked. The main problem facing the Booysens SAPS was the low arrest and conviction rate in rape cases, due to a lack of evidence. The researcher hopes to broaden the detectives’ knowledge and skills regarding the objectives of crime investigation, with special focus on detection of physical evidence at rape crime scenes. The BBFD dog is trained to detect minute amounts of body fluid on any type or size of surface, including veld, bush areas, vehicles, carpets, grass, bedrooms, etc. / Police Practice / M.A. (Criminal Justice)