FOR3701 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1: CELLPHONE TECHNOLOGY IN CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION
1.1 Explain THREE ways cellphone records assisted investigators.
Cellphone records indicated telephonic communication between
individuals. The investigators discovered that a prepaid cellphone repeatedly
connected to cellular towers around Pretoria Logistics Warehouse between
22:00 and 04:00. This demonstrated that the cellphone user was in the
vicinity of the crime scene during the burglary. As Mokwena (2026:17)
explains, cellphone records can "[i]ndicate telephonic communication
between specific cellular or telephone numbers" and "[i]ndicate the past
geographical location of the cellphone user."
Cellphone records corroborated the State's case against the suspects. The
WhatsApp location data from a suspect's cellphone placed him approximately
200 metres from the warehouse during the burglary. This evidence
corroborated the investigators' theory that the suspect was present at the
scene. According to Mokwena (2026:17), cellphone records can
"[c]orroborate or refute the version of a complainant, witness or suspect." The
location data thus provided objective evidence that supported the
investigators' case.
, Cellphone records assisted in determining the modus operandi and identifying
key role-players. The tracking data confirmed that the vehicle (a white bakkie)
had travelled near the warehouse on the night of the offence. This linked the
suspect to the vehicle used in the crime and helped investigators understand
the pattern of the syndicate's operations. Mokwena (2026:17) notes that
cellphone records can "[i]dentify key role-players and suspects in the
investigation" and "[d]etermine the modus operandi in the use of a cellphone."
1.2 Discuss the evidential value of cellphone records.
Cellphone records have significant evidential value in criminal investigations.
According to Mokwena (2026:13), computer printouts of cellphone records
can be accepted as evidence in court, and the information on cellphone
records is considered direct and real evidence because it is not dependent on
or subject to the credibility of a person (Mokwena, 2026:13). This means that
the evidence speaks for itself and is objective in nature.
Cellphone records can provide independent and objective evidence that
assists investigators and courts in placing a suspect at a specific
geographical location at a particular time (Mokwena, 2026:16). The
information appearing on cellphone records, such as date, time, numbers
called, usage type, and call duration, is important for drawing up a timeline
during the investigation and can be used as evidence during court
proceedings (Mokwena, 2026:17).
Also, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002
recognises that a data message fulfils the requirements of writing if it is
accessible and can be referred to, meaning that cellphone records can be
regarded as written documents for evidentiary purposes (Mokwena, 2026:14).
1.3 Why is it important to obtain cellphone information as quickly as
possible?
DUE SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1: CELLPHONE TECHNOLOGY IN CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION
1.1 Explain THREE ways cellphone records assisted investigators.
Cellphone records indicated telephonic communication between
individuals. The investigators discovered that a prepaid cellphone repeatedly
connected to cellular towers around Pretoria Logistics Warehouse between
22:00 and 04:00. This demonstrated that the cellphone user was in the
vicinity of the crime scene during the burglary. As Mokwena (2026:17)
explains, cellphone records can "[i]ndicate telephonic communication
between specific cellular or telephone numbers" and "[i]ndicate the past
geographical location of the cellphone user."
Cellphone records corroborated the State's case against the suspects. The
WhatsApp location data from a suspect's cellphone placed him approximately
200 metres from the warehouse during the burglary. This evidence
corroborated the investigators' theory that the suspect was present at the
scene. According to Mokwena (2026:17), cellphone records can
"[c]orroborate or refute the version of a complainant, witness or suspect." The
location data thus provided objective evidence that supported the
investigators' case.
, Cellphone records assisted in determining the modus operandi and identifying
key role-players. The tracking data confirmed that the vehicle (a white bakkie)
had travelled near the warehouse on the night of the offence. This linked the
suspect to the vehicle used in the crime and helped investigators understand
the pattern of the syndicate's operations. Mokwena (2026:17) notes that
cellphone records can "[i]dentify key role-players and suspects in the
investigation" and "[d]etermine the modus operandi in the use of a cellphone."
1.2 Discuss the evidential value of cellphone records.
Cellphone records have significant evidential value in criminal investigations.
According to Mokwena (2026:13), computer printouts of cellphone records
can be accepted as evidence in court, and the information on cellphone
records is considered direct and real evidence because it is not dependent on
or subject to the credibility of a person (Mokwena, 2026:13). This means that
the evidence speaks for itself and is objective in nature.
Cellphone records can provide independent and objective evidence that
assists investigators and courts in placing a suspect at a specific
geographical location at a particular time (Mokwena, 2026:16). The
information appearing on cellphone records, such as date, time, numbers
called, usage type, and call duration, is important for drawing up a timeline
during the investigation and can be used as evidence during court
proceedings (Mokwena, 2026:17).
Also, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002
recognises that a data message fulfils the requirements of writing if it is
accessible and can be referred to, meaning that cellphone records can be
regarded as written documents for evidentiary purposes (Mokwena, 2026:14).
1.3 Why is it important to obtain cellphone information as quickly as
possible?
