NAME: MSONDEZI

SURNAME: GANKXELA

STUDENT NUMBER: 66209471

ASSESSMENT: 159368

MODULE: INVESTIGATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR POLICING IIA(OVM2601)

 QUESTION 1

1.1 As soon as the police official receives an information about the business robbery
being committed at large building and homeware retailer, the Leroux Retail Outlet
he/she must obtain details from the caller or the complainant to be certain about
the fact that the crime has occurred or is in progress. The details that need to be
obtained from the reporter or the complainant include:
- The particulars of the reporter or the complainant of the offence must be
obtained, these include an address and full names.
- The offence or crime that took place must clearly described to the police by the
reporter.
- The reporter must provide to the police the physical address or the buildings
where the offence has happened/occurred.
- The description of the building or the setup of the premises.
- An indication whether the suspects are still in progress committing the offense
or the offence has been completed.
- The total calculation of the perpetrators involved at the scene of crime.
- Description of the weapons and the number carried or in possession of the
suspects that have been observed.
- If it is available, the description of the suspects.
- If the suspects have already fled the scene of crime, how did they flee and to
which direction they fled.
- The type of vehicle in which the suspects used to flee must be clearly
described.
- The number of people injured and the seriousness of the injuries.
- The possibility of people, who might be in danger.

1.2.- It is crucial to obtain physical evidence as it can make it easy to identify the type
of weapons were utilized to assault the victims this information will assist in linking the
suspect to the victims and scene of crime. Physical evidence will offer the facts about
the how the crime was committed and come up with leads that can assist for further
investigation.
1.2 The aspects that will be included in medical examination of the victims include:
- The marks, wounds and external injuries on the body must be clearly
described.
- The emotional state of the victim must be evaluated and clearly described
- The victim’s general appearance and the condition of his or her clothes must
be observed and clearly described.
- The fingerprints, blood drops on the body and clothing of the victim.

QUESTION 2

2.1 The Police officer in terms of Section 37 of Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 may
ascertain bodily features under these circumstances:

- when a suspect has been arrested on any charge related an offence committed

- if the body feature when not taken during his/her arrest, they can be taken when a
suspect has been released on bail or warning.

- when a suspect commits an offence then the summons has been served in respect
of that offence.

- when an accused has been convicted of an offense and sentenced to a term of

imprisonment by court without the option of fine, it does not matter if it is a
suspended sentence they must be taken.

- when the bodily features were taken prior have been lost, misplaced, not stored on
the data base, were of poor quality and incomplete.

The purpose of ascertaining bodily features is purely for the following criminal
investigation purposes:

- To link the suspect with the commission of the offence through the evidence
obtained from him/her and the scene of crime.
- To determine the perpetrator in criminal investigation
- To balance the interest of justice against the individual dignity by ensuring that
is conducted in a reasonable manner.
2.2 The factors to determine which methods will be most suitable for the crime
scene in this case study include:

Planning- this a first stage before entering the scene of crime. It is a very
important stage as it outlines the procedures that are going to be followed. In this
phase planning takes place considering the capacity of the scene of crime, the
material that will be needed for the search. To ensure thorough search a sketch
plan of the scene of crime must be draw down to avoid leaving some spaces
unsearched leaving some vital evidence.

The time factor – The crime scene needs to be searched as soon as possible to
prevent the contamination and disappearance of the valuable physical evidence.

Available workforce and resources – The availability of personnel is very

important as some duties are performed by certain people who specialize on
those fields. To determine the method of search directly depends on the
availability of enough personnel to perform the search. The personnel must be
briefed way before the arrival on the scene to minimise the careless mistakes
that might occur.

Application Possibilities – To be able to decide on the method to be use, the type

of crime and surface of the scene must be noted. Communicate with other
services like Forensic services to clarify any question that maybe arise.

The Gravity of the crime- An intrusion from outside agencies and personnel must
be prevented as they usually have an interest in the crime scene. In case where
you are dealing with a big or complicated case headquarters for communications
and decision making must be organised. Crime scene contamination must be
prevented by posting guards to watch the areas to be search against the
intruders or bystanders.
2.3 The investigation team is responsible for all the activities dealing with the two
crime scenes. These activities include

- arrange medical assistance for victims

- Identify witnesses

- help Victims

- identify suspects

- searching of crime scene

- handle media.

Question 3

direct and indirect identification of the alleged perpetrators in the mentioned case
studies can be achieved.

Personal Description – this can be provided by the victims that were present at first
crime scene and a witness who might have witnessed the suspects fleeing the scene
of crime by giving the description of clothing, distinguish marks, jewellery etc.

Identification Parade -once the suspect has been arrested an identification parade
can be held at the police station. People with the same appearance, clothing and
social status would be invited to be part of the line up mixing with the suspects. The
eyewitness would be called to point out or identify the suspect he/she saw at the
crime scene committing crime.

The physical evidence left on the scene- this includes fingerprint, footprints and tool
marks would match with the fingerprint that were obtained from the suspects after
their arrest.

Video footage – the video record from the camara inside the store will positively link
the suspects to the crime as they can be identified while committing crime.
 Question 4

4.1 To present proper evidence in court when testifying, you as police official need to
know the different principles which are:

Identification- this principle is based on a scientific theory that every person is unique
in this universe. It is important to identify physical evidence on the scene.

Individualisation- crime scene, victim and the perpetrator are linked using this
principle.

Continuity of possession- this principle refers to the safe keeping of the physical
evidence and the process it follows from one person to another.

Locard’s Principle – this principle states that when two object contact each other will
leave a trace on another.

LIST OF REFFERENCES

1. Motsepe, L.L. 2020. INVESTIGATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR POLICING II. Only

study guide for OVM2601. UNISA.PRETORIA
2. Lochner, H.& Zinn, R.2015. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. Juta and
Company Pty Ltd. Cape Town.
ACADEMIC HONESTY DECLARATION

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in this regard. I confirm that I have read and adhered to (i) the University’s Policy on
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https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-
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2. I declare that these assignment answers are my own, original work.

3. I have not allowed and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as their own.

4. I did not make use of another student’s work and submitted it as my own.

Name: Msondezi

Signature: Gankxela

Student number:66209471

Module code: OVM2601

Date:2025/04/15