Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Policing)

In any society the police are organized with the responsibility of keeping peace and order, ensuring the rule of law, justice, prevention of crime as well as protection of human rights. Regardless of the circumstances in which the police find them, they should act towards every human being with a sense of duty and care for human rights; it is the responsibility of the police to conduct the process of arrest, search and seizure according to the law with no neglect of duties. The police are expected to comply with the arrest, search and seizure procedures designed to ensure the protection of human rights. Nevertheless, usually, the task of investigation is vulnerable to human right violation. This is particularly true in the case of the developing countries where the process of democratization is so infant that most of them not only lack the required level of awareness/understanding pertaining to the human right principles but also the necessary institutional mechanisms that contribute to the proper application of human right principles are missing. The report of the Ethiopian Federal Police Inspection Service conducted in the year 2003 indicated that there were some suspects arrested without court warrant and with the existence of reasonable doubt for their guiltiness. Moreover, findings of a research conducted in the same year on certain Addis Ababa sub-city police stations also clearly indicate this fact. The objective of the this research is to evaluate the extent to which crime investigator, who are duty bearers in the Addis Ababa city police, adhere to the human right principles pertaining to the rights of suspected, accused and arrested person that are recognized in pertinent international instruments and enshrined in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) constitution and other related laws of the country while fulfilling their duties and responsibilities throughout the crime investigation process. Specifically the study is also aimed at exploring the form and type of commonly violated human right, if any and the determinant factors behind the respective types of human right violation by crime investigation belong to the Addis Ababa police .Methodologically the study followed and is mainly relied on the qualitative empirical approach to social science research. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing (Investigation))

The aim of this research is to determine what physical evidence can be found on the body of the perpetrator to link the suspect with the crime of rape. Regarding this, the researcher was trying to introduce a number of important concepts such as forensic investigation, chain of custody, evidence, information, identification, individualization, crime scene and the Locard Principle. This research will explain the meaning of forensic investigation, the objective of criminal investigation, the difference between information and evidence and individualization and identification. An important principle which all investigators and prosecutors should know is the Locard Principle. It says: "Every contact leaves a trace". The principle further explains that, whenever two objects come into contact with one another, material from the first would be transferred to the second and material from the second would be transferred to the first. Although this principle is important for investigators as well as prosecutors, most of them do not know the principle. The other important thing is the consideration of the body of the perpetrator as a crime scene to prove a crime. A crime scene is defined as an area where a criminal act has taken place. If we get evidence from the body of the perpetrator, we can then consider it as a crime scene. Lastly, regarding the legal rights to collect evidence on the body of the perpetrator, there should be specific laws in Ethiopia. However, there is no specific law. In addition to this, there is no DNA investigation in Ethiopia. Hence, this research will enhance the skills of investigators and prosecutors will benefit from what I have discovered through the research and I am very pleased to be the first Ethiopian in the introduction of the field of forensic investigation to the readers. / Forensic Investigations / 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.

With this study, the researcher wants to establish whether investigators are able to effectively interpret, report on, or pay cognisance to body language during interviews, and whether they are sufficiently trained therein. Knowledge of body language can provide the interviewer with vital clues during the interview process. Regardless of the availability of numerous literatures on nonverbal behaviour in interviewing, the application of this knowledge is lacking among investigators. An empirical research design and a qualitative research approach were used for this research. National and international literature sources were consulted, and the researcher conducted interviews with two experts, knowledgeable investigators and semi-structured interviews with detectives from the East London South African Police Service (SAPS) and forensic investigators from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in East London. The importance of the skill of interpreting body language during forensic interviewing was established. Evidently, many investigators do not apply their knowledge and skill to enhance the outcomes of a forensic interview. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

In this qualitative study five police stations in the Tshwane Policing Precinct were selected. The objectives were to describe and explore the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials’ experiences on the nature and extent of domestic violence and the responsive strategies by relevant stakeholders thereof. Data collection literature review and key informant interviews were selected. Purposive sampling was adopted to cater for 40 sworn SAPS officials; each station was represented by seven participants. The findings suggest that many academics around the world overlook the importance women and children as core victims. As a result, they become the neglected people in our society. Thus, there is no simple solution to this crime to date. For recommendations a multi-agency approach whereby all relevant stakeholders try to address this scourge is needed to enhance reporting channels, advance SAPS skills and obtain more convictions. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

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)

Today, the use of one's bank card to pay or withdraw money is common. Modern technology provides us with the convenience of instant transactions at the automated teller machine or point of sale but unfortunately, it has also brought the reality and risk of card skimming and counterfeit card fraud. Criminals have become very efficient and technologically advanced in skimming and counterfeiting cards, to such an extent that counterfeit card fraud has become a significant threat to the public, banking, retail and business in South Africa. Counterfeit card fraud is a complex, multi-faceted crime, requiring specific skills and knowledge of card counterfeiting methods from police and bank investigators. The scope of its investigation is wide. It includes different crime scenes and offenders, sophisticated equipment and various aspects that need to be identified positively. Investigators find it difficult to identify perpetrators and certain aspects unique to this crime and, as a result, many investigations are unsuccessful. This research endeavours to establish what identification methods are available to investigators and which are effective. / 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)

Crime has been around since the beginning of time. In an evolving society, and the methodology of crime also changes. The methodology of combating and preventing crime should aim to match the speed at which crime occurs. Criminal procedure deals with the powers of the police to investigate crimes.1 The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (CPA) contains the principles of search and seizure in chapter 2. The promulgation of the CPA was during a period where the computer was a new phenomenon. At this time, it was inconceivable that technology would ever advance and become so ubiquitous, to the point that technology would infiltrate every aspect of our lives, and laws. There has since been many developments in our law, especially a new Constitutional dispensation.2 There have been developments and technological advancements that have had a direct and indirect bearing on the CPA. People use technology to communicate, transact, and unfortunately, to commit crime. These developments require there to be amendments in the CPA. There has been no specific amendments relating to search and seizure which are of significance in addressing technological advances. It is recommended that the amendments to the CPA include definitions and guidelines for procedural aspects of collection of electronic evidence. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL. M. (Criminal and Procedural Law)