The problem that was identified is that physical surveillance is not generally used by general detectives in the South African Police Service as a technique during their investigations. According to the researcher’s experience, this can be due to lack of understanding or experience or may stem from ignorance. A lack of training on the use of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process was also identified as a problem. This study therefore investigated the role and use of physical surveillance within the forensic investigation process. The focus of the research was on basic static (stationary), foot and vehicle surveillance as these types of surveillance are usually conducted in conjunction with each other. An empirical research design was used to conduct the research. A qualitative research approach enabled the researcher to obtain first-hand information from interviews with general detectives. Information was also obtained from a thorough literature study and from the researcher’s own experience on the topic. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the concept of physical surveillance, its elements, its influence and its values. A physical surveillance operation is a forensic tool used to gather evidence, to recover stolen property, and to identify and arrest the perpetrator. The use of physical surveillance during investigations serves the purpose of gathering evidence and information that can be used as intelligence. Successful forensic investigation requires skill and places extraordinary demands on detectives to utilise all available methods and techniques. The recognition of the use of physical surveillance as a method of evidence gathering is of outmost importance. The research has revealed that general detectives do not acknowledge the importance of physical surveillance as a method to obtain information for the investigation process. It is of vital importance that all detectives be properly trained with the necessary knowledge and skills to make use of this valuable investigative tool. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The aim of this research is to investigate how handwriting as an individualisation technique in fraud investigation can be used by police detectives, SARS investigators and forensic investigation specialists, who are responsible for the investigation and linking the perpetrator, with a view to criminal prosecution. A further intent was to share and introduce a number of important concepts, namely: criminal investigation, identification, individualisation, fraud, evidence and handwriting. The research will explain the sophisticated investigation techniques used to obtain sufficient information to prove the true facts in a court of law. Identification is the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which an object is definitively recognisable or known, while the individual characteristics establish the individuality of a specific object. Many types of evidence may be used to link an individual with a crime scene, and associate that individual with the performed illegal handling. It also explained that during a cheque/document fraud investigation, it is in most cases the only link to information to trace, identify and individualise the perpetrator, and to obtain a handwriting specimen. It is also discussed how to eliminate a person being a writer of a document, and how to collect, package and mark a disputed document during the investigation. If the investigators use their knowledge of these concepts, it should enhance their investigative skills, and empower them to be become better equipped for the challenges they face in identifying, individualising and linking the perpetrators, in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

One of the important branches of government and vital to the community, police agencies are organizations that have high usage rates of information technology systems since they are in the intelligence sector and thus have information incentives. Not only can information technologies develop intra- and inter-relationships of law enforcement agencies, but they also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the police officers and agencies without adding additional costs. Thus, identifying the factors that influence the police officers' adoption of information technology can help predict and determine how information technology will contribute to the social organization of policing in terms of effectiveness and efficiency gains. A research framework was developed by integrating three different models, theory of planned behavior (TPB), technology acceptance theory (TAM), and diffusion of innovation theory (DOI) while adding two other factors, facility and voluntariness, to better determine the factors affecting the implementation and adoption of the POLNET software system used by the Turkish National Police (TNP). The integrated model used in this study covers not only basic technology acceptance factors, but also the factors related to policing. It also attempts to account for the factors of cultural differences by considering the important aspects of Turkish culture. A cross sectional survey was conducted among TNP officers using the POLNET system. The LISREL 8.5® analysis for the hypothesized model resulted in a good model fit; 13 of the 15 hypotheses were supported.

The investigation of crime is one area in which the South African Police Service is measured on. There is no doubt that poor application of investigation methods results in acquittal of criminals or, at worst, failing to identify the perpetrator. In murder cases, the response from the communities who are directly affected is usually unpleasant and intolerable. This is so because murder is a crime against human life. One death in the family will have significant, undesirable implications to the family involved and, to a certain extent, the community. Violent crime such as murder has a negative effect, not only on the family who has lost the loved one, but also has a severe direct impact on the economy. For instance, no potential investors would want to associate themselves with a country where the incidence of violent crimes has become the norm and where the government appears to be reluctant to take tangible actions to remedy the situation. For years, the South African Police Service applied one methodology in murder investigations, even though their crime statistics showed that this type of crime was constantly increasing and required drastic steps to curb it. This study gives a detailed analysis of the prosecution-led investigation model and its feasibility in murder cases. This research was conducted on the basis that this model appears to work successfully in commercial crimes, judging by the conviction rates reported annually by the National Prosecuting Authority. The study discusses the current investigation model used by the South African Police Service in the investigation of murder and compares it to an intelligence-led investigation model. It then examines the meaning of the prosecution-led investigation. Finally, international experiences in terms of criminal investigation and prosecution procedures are discussed and compared with those of South Africa. The researcher explored the models from the selected countries and interviews conducted were used as a foundation for describing and explaining the future application of the findings emanating from this research. Using the qualitative approach, data was gathered by means of a literature review and qualitative interviews with the sampled participants to answer the research questions. The researcher is of the view that this study (analysing the prosecution-led investigation model in murder cases) presents a significant contribution to the development of practical guidelines that can be used to effectively and efficiently investigate murder cases. / Police Practice / D. Phil. (Criminal Justice)

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)

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 aim of this research is to investigate how handwriting as an individualisation technique in fraud investigation can be used by police detectives, SARS investigators and forensic investigation specialists, who are responsible for the investigation and linking the perpetrator, with a view to criminal prosecution. A further intent was to share and introduce a number of important concepts, namely: criminal investigation, identification, individualisation, fraud, evidence and handwriting. The research will explain the sophisticated investigation techniques used to obtain sufficient information to prove the true facts in a court of law. Identification is the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which an object is definitively recognisable or known, while the individual characteristics establish the individuality of a specific object. Many types of evidence may be used to link an individual with a crime scene, and associate that individual with the performed illegal handling. It also explained that during a cheque/document fraud investigation, it is in most cases the only link to information to trace, identify and individualise the perpetrator, and to obtain a handwriting specimen. It is also discussed how to eliminate a person being a writer of a document, and how to collect, package and mark a disputed document during the investigation. If the investigators use their knowledge of these concepts, it should enhance their investigative skills, and empower them to be become better equipped for the challenges they face in identifying, individualising and linking the perpetrators, in order to ensure successful prosecution and conviction. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This study was conducted with the aim to critically analyse how the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation can be identified in order to develop practical guidelines to be used during the identification of this crime in South Africa. In this study the researcher conducted a review of pertinent literature, both international and national, to gain an understanding of the problem being researched. The explanatory sequential mixed-method design was used with the main purpose to use the qualitative data to help explain in more detail the initial quantitative results obtained. The explanatory sequential mixed-methods design assisted the researcher to follow a procedure whereby the mixed-mode survey design was applied to collect data through questionnaires. These questionnaires were in the form of mailed, self-administered surveys and in-person interviews with human trafficking provincial coordinators, police officials and investigators of human trafficking within the nine provinces country wide during the first quantitative phase of this study. The data were analysed and followed up during the second qualitative phase with interview schedules that were used in semi-structured one-on-one interviews with the following persons: police investigators working at the SAPS organised crime units who dealt with and investigated cases of human trafficking where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation; state prosecutors working at the National Prosecuting Authority who dealt with, identified and prosecuted human trafficking cases where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation in South Africa; NGOs who work in the field of counter-trafficking and victim assistance; and an international police investigator who dealt with, identified and investigated human trafficking cases where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation. The researcher is of the opinion that this study (analysing how the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation can be identified in order to develop practical guidelines to be used during the identification of this crime in South Africa) presents a significant contribution to the identification of human trafficking for sexual exploitation incidents in South Africa and subsequently presents practical guidelines that can be used during the identification of this phenomenon in South Africa. SUMMARY “Modern slavery – be it bonded labour, involuntary servitude, or sexual slavery – is a crime and cannot be tolerated in any culture, community, or country... [It] is an affront to our values and our commitment to human rights.” (US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report, 2010) This study was conducted with the aim to critically analyse how the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation can be identified in order to develop practical guidelines to be used during the identification of this crime in South Africa. In this study the researcher conducted a review of pertinent literature, both international and national, to gain an understanding of the problem being researched. Relevant international legislation which informs South African legislation was accordingly considered in order to explain the current legal framework that forms the foundation to address this problem. A survey was conducted to gain insight into the phenomenon of human trafficking in South Africa. Thereafter interviews were conducted in order to understand the meaning provided by individuals to the problem researched. The researcher also explored how the federal police in Australia address the specific problem relating to the identification and investigation of human trafficking, as they have appointed a leading human trafficking task team focusing on this phenomenon in specific. Links and associations were identified through the knowledge and facts gained in this study, exploring past events and theories developed from former research relating to this topic. This formed the foundation of the study in order to describe and explain future application of findings emanating from this research. The explanatory sequential mixed-method design was used with the main purpose to use the qualitative data to help explain in more detail the initial quantitative results obtained. The explanatory sequential mixed-methods design assisted the researcher to follow a procedure whereby the mixed-mode survey design was applied to collect data through questionnaires. These questionnaires were in the form of mailed, self-administered surveys and in-person interviews with human trafficking provincial coordinators, police officials and investigators of human trafficking within the nine provinces country wide during the first quantitative phase of this study. The data were analysed and followed up during the second qualitative phase with interview schedules that were used in semi-structured one-on-one interviews with the following persons: police investigators working at the SAPS organised crime units who dealt with and investigated cases of human trafficking where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation; state prosecutors working at the National Prosecuting Authority who dealt with, identified and prosecuted human trafficking cases where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation in South Africa; NGOs who work in the field of counter-trafficking and victim assistance; and an international police investigator who dealt with, identified and investigated human trafficking cases where victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation. Through a critical analysis of the identification process of the phenomenon of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, the purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon and establish, develop and provide practical guidelines, procedures and recommendations to the South African Police Service to identify these cases more successfully. The specific research objectives and research questions answered in this study to address the research aim were divided into five categories:  Explore and describe the phenomenon of human trafficking.  Determine the nature and extent of the legal arena to criminalise human trafficking, to prevent human trafficking, and to protect trafficking victims upon which South African legislation is based.  Explain how the identification of the phenomenon of human trafficking fits into the policing process.  Explore the current situation regarding the procedures followed to identify the phenomenon of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.  Develop practical guidelines, procedures and recommendations for police officials to identify human trafficking for sexual exploitation incidents more successfully. The trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual purposes lies in the expansion and ever growing sexual entertainment industry, which is most importantly a demand-driven phenomenon. The exploitation of victims for profit through the use of force, fraud or coercion remains the common denominator of this crime and the trade of human beings continues to evolve into new and more multifaceted forms of exploitation, using debt contracts and other means to coerce people for the purpose of profit gain. Women and children are perceived as the most exploitable and controllable and therefore are deemed to be the most in demand to contribute to this expanding and very competitive economic market driven by maximum profit. It is imperative and fundamental to have an understanding of the trafficking of persons as a crime committed against an individual and therefore it is of the utmost importance that police personnel serving in the South African Police Service (one of the key role players within the Criminal Justice System), are conversant with the means of trafficking, what it constitutes and what attributes and features this phenomenon includes. Through the development of practical guidelines, procedures and recommendations for police officials to identify human trafficking for sexual exploitation incidents more successfully, data obtained from both literature and interviews contributed immensely in the identification of incidents of human trafficking in order to prevent and address this crime successfully. The researcher is of the opinion that this study (analysing how the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation can be identified in order to develop practical guidelines to be used during the identification of this crime in South Africa) presents a significant contribution to the identification of human trafficking for sexual exploitation incidents in South Africa and subsequently presents practical guidelines that can be used during the identification of this phenomenon in South Africa. / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

This research investigates the communication abilities of children who are exposed to criminal investigations because a crime was committed against them or they have witnessed a crime happening to another person. The study also determines how crime detectives can maximise their efforts in obtaining evidence from such children with the help of an interview as a technique to elicit information. The aim of the research was to understand the behaviour of children, so that more effective investigative interviews can be undertaken with child victims. The researcher wanted to identify the communication challenges associated with obtaining information from child victims and possible ways to overcome such challenges. It was found that the developmental stages of children, the manner in which interviewers/investigators conduct themselves during child interviews and the amount of knowledge possessed by interviewers to elicit information in a legally defensible manner are central to child victim interviews. / Criminology and Security Science / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Text in English / The continued advancement in myriad technological, societal and legal issues has affected the investigation of computer aided crimes. The investigators are confronted with tremendous impediments as the computer aided and traditional crime scenes differ. The study sought to analyse the procedures for searching evidence in the investigation of computer-related crime with the intention to improve admissibility of such evidence. The researcher employed empirical design to reach conclusions based upon evidence collected from observations and real life experiences. This aided the researcher to obtain information through face-to-face interviews. The study was qualitative in approach as it consisted of a set of interpretive and material practices that make the real social world visible. The training curriculum for investigators should include aspects of computer-related crime investigation, search and seizure of computer evidence. Search and collection of computer-related evidence should be done preferably by qualified forensic experts, so that evidence is accepted in court. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)