OVM2601 – INVESTIGATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR POLICING II
EXAM‑FOCUSED SUMMARY NOTES
© Pebetsi Study Hub
STUDY UNIT 1: Theory of Investigative Principles
1. What investigation is about
● Find out what happened, who did it, and prove it in court
● Investigation must be systematic, lawful, and humanised
2. Integrative approach
Think of investigation as teamwork + humanity:
Uses:
● Investigative principles
● Ubuntu
● Batho Pele
● Social responsibility
● Goal: Humanise policing and improve cooperation
EXAM TIP:
● Explain why ubuntu improves investigations (trust, cooperation, better evidence).
3. Four basic investigative principles (VERY IMPORTANT)
(a) Identification
● Everything is unique
Example: blood ≠ water, fingerprint ≠ footprint
,(b) Individualisation
● Link evidence to one specific person
Example: fingerprint → specific suspect
(c) Continuity of possession (Chain of custody)
Evidence must:
● Be the same item
● Be unchanged
● Be safeguarded at all times
(d) Locard’s Exchange Principle
“Every contact leaves a trace”
● Suspect leaves something
● Suspect takes something away
● Exam question favourite
4. Phases of investigation
● Preliminary investigation – first response, securing scene
● Further investigation – tracing suspects, arrests, evidence
● Judicial process – court preparation & testimony
, © Pebetsi Study Hub
STUDY UNIT 2: ASCERTAINMENT OF BODILY FEATURES
1. Legal basis
Section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
Police may take:
● Fingerprints
● Photos
● Blood, hair, nail scrapings
● Identification parades
Consent not required, force allowed if necessary
2. Purpose
● Identify suspect
● Link suspect to crime
3. Constitutional issues
Rights may be limited (Section 36 of Constitution)
Limitation must be:
● Reasonable
● Justifiable
4. Important rules
● Police may NOT draw blood themselves
● Only doctor/nurse may draw blood
● Wrong procedure = inadmissible evidence
EXAM‑FOCUSED SUMMARY NOTES
© Pebetsi Study Hub
STUDY UNIT 1: Theory of Investigative Principles
1. What investigation is about
● Find out what happened, who did it, and prove it in court
● Investigation must be systematic, lawful, and humanised
2. Integrative approach
Think of investigation as teamwork + humanity:
Uses:
● Investigative principles
● Ubuntu
● Batho Pele
● Social responsibility
● Goal: Humanise policing and improve cooperation
EXAM TIP:
● Explain why ubuntu improves investigations (trust, cooperation, better evidence).
3. Four basic investigative principles (VERY IMPORTANT)
(a) Identification
● Everything is unique
Example: blood ≠ water, fingerprint ≠ footprint
,(b) Individualisation
● Link evidence to one specific person
Example: fingerprint → specific suspect
(c) Continuity of possession (Chain of custody)
Evidence must:
● Be the same item
● Be unchanged
● Be safeguarded at all times
(d) Locard’s Exchange Principle
“Every contact leaves a trace”
● Suspect leaves something
● Suspect takes something away
● Exam question favourite
4. Phases of investigation
● Preliminary investigation – first response, securing scene
● Further investigation – tracing suspects, arrests, evidence
● Judicial process – court preparation & testimony
, © Pebetsi Study Hub
STUDY UNIT 2: ASCERTAINMENT OF BODILY FEATURES
1. Legal basis
Section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
Police may take:
● Fingerprints
● Photos
● Blood, hair, nail scrapings
● Identification parades
Consent not required, force allowed if necessary
2. Purpose
● Identify suspect
● Link suspect to crime
3. Constitutional issues
Rights may be limited (Section 36 of Constitution)
Limitation must be:
● Reasonable
● Justifiable
4. Important rules
● Police may NOT draw blood themselves
● Only doctor/nurse may draw blood
● Wrong procedure = inadmissible evidence
