© Ane Venter
Study Unit 2
The Crime Scene as a Source of Information
Lecture notes are in blue
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
Define a crime scene! Create your own definition
The Scene of the Crime using the information below.
○ Collection of evidence begins at the scene of the crime – location of observable and concealed
information.
○ Information collected is heterogeneous. Reveal associative relationship
- Actual sense-experience of individual. between perpetrator, their weapons /
- Physical information through. instruments, and their actions amidst
- Obvious evidence – explicit and implicit crime scene unlawful situations determined.
- Information includes:
Spoken / written account of actual individual sense-perceptions and experiences.
(Locard principle) – evidence is left behind by criminals at the scene of the crime organically
and inorganically.
Possesses definite class and individual properties.
Presents usable potentialities for individualisation.
Information in organic / inorganic form – transferred from the scene to the criminal.
Presence of cumulative, usable objective and subjective
sources of information at the scene
+ mutual and associative relationships
+ usable potentialities for individualisation
Comprise of the following information:
1. Corpus Delicti: objective material which represents the juridical criteria for a crime.
2. Modus Operandi: distinctive method of operation and conduct of the criminal.
3. The identity of the offender and their part in the crime.
4. The identity of the victim.
Rational reconstruction of the crime scene is of relevance in this regard.
○ Certain crimes do not require explicit physical activities.
- Blackmail
- Embezzlement hidden / implicit crime scenes.
- Acts of fraud
○ Explicit / visible crime scenes = physical force against property / the body.
○ Some scenes may be extremely unapproachable – depending on the nature or circumstances of the
crime.
○ Different descriptions / definitions of the crime scene:
- A field laboratory where objects of dispute can be located for lab tests at a later stage.
- The site where there is direct and indirect evidence of the committed or alleged unlawful act.
- The locality of hidden clues which can lead to the clarification / detection of the crime.
Includes any other locality or place where physical clues concerning the crime can be found.
○ Actions implemented at the scene of the crime – correct, objective, systematic and thorough – to use
scene to its full potential as a source of information.
2|Page
Study Unit 2
The Crime Scene as a Source of Information
Lecture notes are in blue
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
Define a crime scene! Create your own definition
The Scene of the Crime using the information below.
○ Collection of evidence begins at the scene of the crime – location of observable and concealed
information.
○ Information collected is heterogeneous. Reveal associative relationship
- Actual sense-experience of individual. between perpetrator, their weapons /
- Physical information through. instruments, and their actions amidst
- Obvious evidence – explicit and implicit crime scene unlawful situations determined.
- Information includes:
Spoken / written account of actual individual sense-perceptions and experiences.
(Locard principle) – evidence is left behind by criminals at the scene of the crime organically
and inorganically.
Possesses definite class and individual properties.
Presents usable potentialities for individualisation.
Information in organic / inorganic form – transferred from the scene to the criminal.
Presence of cumulative, usable objective and subjective
sources of information at the scene
+ mutual and associative relationships
+ usable potentialities for individualisation
Comprise of the following information:
1. Corpus Delicti: objective material which represents the juridical criteria for a crime.
2. Modus Operandi: distinctive method of operation and conduct of the criminal.
3. The identity of the offender and their part in the crime.
4. The identity of the victim.
Rational reconstruction of the crime scene is of relevance in this regard.
○ Certain crimes do not require explicit physical activities.
- Blackmail
- Embezzlement hidden / implicit crime scenes.
- Acts of fraud
○ Explicit / visible crime scenes = physical force against property / the body.
○ Some scenes may be extremely unapproachable – depending on the nature or circumstances of the
crime.
○ Different descriptions / definitions of the crime scene:
- A field laboratory where objects of dispute can be located for lab tests at a later stage.
- The site where there is direct and indirect evidence of the committed or alleged unlawful act.
- The locality of hidden clues which can lead to the clarification / detection of the crime.
Includes any other locality or place where physical clues concerning the crime can be found.
○ Actions implemented at the scene of the crime – correct, objective, systematic and thorough – to use
scene to its full potential as a source of information.
2|Page
