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CMY3706 - CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL ISSUES EXAM
2026 LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027
EDITION
CMY3706 EXAM 250-QUESTIONS
CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL ISSUES EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS (1-250)
SECTION 1: NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRIME (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the purpose of the CMY3706 module?
A) To study historical crime patterns in Europe
B) To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning
contemporary crime issues in South Africa
C) To focus exclusively on cybercrime
D) To analyse crime statistics from developed countries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of CMY3706 is for students to gain comprehensive knowledge
and problem-solving skills concerning contemporary crime issues, including the
incidence of specific types of crime in South Africa, causes of various categories of
crime, theoretical explanations, and crime prevention. The principles of Ubuntu, social
responsibility, human rights, and Africanisation are enthused in the learning material .
2. Which of the following is NOT a core topic covered in CMY3706?
A) Violent and non-violent crime
B) Theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour
C) Prevention of crime
D) International trade law
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CMY3706 covers contemporary crime issues, including violent and non-
violent crime, theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour, and crime prevention.
International trade law is not within the scope of this module .
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3. What are the three main categories of theory in criminology?
A) Rational choice, process and structure
B) Consensus, conflict and pluralistic
C) Structure, pluralistic and conflict
D) Consensus, rational choice and process
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three main categories of theory in criminology are consensus, rational
choice, and process theories. These frameworks help explain criminal behaviour from
different perspectives .
4. According to the CMY3706 study material, what is the "instruction letter" for the
module?
A) It encourages students to use Wikipedia for research
B) It emphasizes using the prescribed study guide and tutorial letters
C) It allows students to use only their own imagination
D) It restricts students to using only newspaper articles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Instruction Letter for CMY3706 emphasizes using the prescribed Study
Guide and Tutorial Letters. Academic assignments must be grounded in the provided
university materials to ensure students engage with the specific content and theoretical
frameworks covered in the module .
5. What is the definition of recidivism?
A) Becoming a victim twice
B) Re-offending after having been previously punished or treated
C) Robbing two stores at once
D) Going to court for the first time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recidivism refers to re-offending after having been previously punished or
treated. High recidivism rates suggest that the prison system is failing to rehabilitate
offenders .
6. What is victimology primarily concerned with?
A) Only the criminal and their motivations
B) The impact of the crime on victims
C) The judge's decision-making process
D) The type of weapon used in the crime
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Victimology is the study of the psychological and physical effects on the
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victims of crime. This field examines how crime affects individuals and communities
and is essential for developing victim-centred approaches to criminal justice .
7. The term "Modus Operandi" in criminology refers to:
A) The legal definition of a crime
B) The specific method of operation used by criminals
C) The mental state of the offender
D) The physical evidence left at a crime scene
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Modus Operandi (MO) refers to the specific method of operation used by
criminals. Understanding an offender's MO is crucial for identifying patterns in criminal
behaviour and linking crimes to the same perpetrator. This concept is central to criminal
profiling and investigation .
8. The term "Remand Detainee" refers to:
A) Already sentenced
B) Awaiting the completion of their trial while in custody
C) On parole
D) A witness for the state
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A remand detainee is a person who is awaiting the completion of their trial
while in custody. They have not yet been convicted or sentenced .
9. What is the significance of Section 36 of the South African Constitution?
A) It defines the right to equality
B) It establishes the Limitation Clause determining when rights can be limited
C) It defines the right to freedom of speech
D) It establishes the right to property
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 36 of the Constitution is the Limitation Clause, which determines
whether a violation of a right is legally justifiable. This is important in criminal justice
contexts, such as when the 48-hour rule is not followed .
10. What is the "48-hour rule" in South African law?
A) It applies only to South African citizens
B) It applies to every person arrested in South Africa
C) It applies only to people who have a lawyer
D) It applies only to innocent people
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 48-hour rule applies to every person arrested in South Africa.
Constitutional rights, including the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of
arrest, apply to everyone within the borders of the country, regardless of citizenship
status .
SECTION 2: ARMED ROBBERY AND TRIO CRIMES (Questions 31–80)
11. According to Conklin (1972), which of the following is a typology of armed
robber?
A) The professional robber
B) The cyber robber
C) The environmental robber
D) The political robber
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Conklin's classic typologies of armed robbers include professional, addict,
alcoholic, and opportunist robbers. These categories help criminologists understand
different motivations and patterns of behaviour among robbers .
12. What is a key characteristic of professional robbers?
A) They act impulsively without planning
B) They carefully plan their crimes with extensive preparation
C) They only commit crimes in rural areas
D) They never use weapons during robberies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional robbers carefully plan their crimes, demonstrating higher
sophistication than amateurs who may act impulsively. They exhibit dedication and
extensive planning in their criminal activities .
13. What is a characteristic of intermediate robbers?
A) Their engagement in armed robberies is sporadic and they intersperse these
robberies with other types of crimes
B) They exclusively commit professional robberies with extensive planning
C) They never use weapons during robberies
D) They only commit robberies in rural areas
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intermediate robbers engage in armed robberies sporadically and combine
these with other types of crimes. They require some preparation and possess moderate
CMY3706 - CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL ISSUES EXAM
2026 LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027
EDITION
CMY3706 EXAM 250-QUESTIONS
CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL ISSUES EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS (1-250)
SECTION 1: NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRIME (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the purpose of the CMY3706 module?
A) To study historical crime patterns in Europe
B) To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning
contemporary crime issues in South Africa
C) To focus exclusively on cybercrime
D) To analyse crime statistics from developed countries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of CMY3706 is for students to gain comprehensive knowledge
and problem-solving skills concerning contemporary crime issues, including the
incidence of specific types of crime in South Africa, causes of various categories of
crime, theoretical explanations, and crime prevention. The principles of Ubuntu, social
responsibility, human rights, and Africanisation are enthused in the learning material .
2. Which of the following is NOT a core topic covered in CMY3706?
A) Violent and non-violent crime
B) Theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour
C) Prevention of crime
D) International trade law
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CMY3706 covers contemporary crime issues, including violent and non-
violent crime, theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour, and crime prevention.
International trade law is not within the scope of this module .
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3. What are the three main categories of theory in criminology?
A) Rational choice, process and structure
B) Consensus, conflict and pluralistic
C) Structure, pluralistic and conflict
D) Consensus, rational choice and process
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three main categories of theory in criminology are consensus, rational
choice, and process theories. These frameworks help explain criminal behaviour from
different perspectives .
4. According to the CMY3706 study material, what is the "instruction letter" for the
module?
A) It encourages students to use Wikipedia for research
B) It emphasizes using the prescribed study guide and tutorial letters
C) It allows students to use only their own imagination
D) It restricts students to using only newspaper articles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Instruction Letter for CMY3706 emphasizes using the prescribed Study
Guide and Tutorial Letters. Academic assignments must be grounded in the provided
university materials to ensure students engage with the specific content and theoretical
frameworks covered in the module .
5. What is the definition of recidivism?
A) Becoming a victim twice
B) Re-offending after having been previously punished or treated
C) Robbing two stores at once
D) Going to court for the first time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recidivism refers to re-offending after having been previously punished or
treated. High recidivism rates suggest that the prison system is failing to rehabilitate
offenders .
6. What is victimology primarily concerned with?
A) Only the criminal and their motivations
B) The impact of the crime on victims
C) The judge's decision-making process
D) The type of weapon used in the crime
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Victimology is the study of the psychological and physical effects on the
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victims of crime. This field examines how crime affects individuals and communities
and is essential for developing victim-centred approaches to criminal justice .
7. The term "Modus Operandi" in criminology refers to:
A) The legal definition of a crime
B) The specific method of operation used by criminals
C) The mental state of the offender
D) The physical evidence left at a crime scene
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Modus Operandi (MO) refers to the specific method of operation used by
criminals. Understanding an offender's MO is crucial for identifying patterns in criminal
behaviour and linking crimes to the same perpetrator. This concept is central to criminal
profiling and investigation .
8. The term "Remand Detainee" refers to:
A) Already sentenced
B) Awaiting the completion of their trial while in custody
C) On parole
D) A witness for the state
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A remand detainee is a person who is awaiting the completion of their trial
while in custody. They have not yet been convicted or sentenced .
9. What is the significance of Section 36 of the South African Constitution?
A) It defines the right to equality
B) It establishes the Limitation Clause determining when rights can be limited
C) It defines the right to freedom of speech
D) It establishes the right to property
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 36 of the Constitution is the Limitation Clause, which determines
whether a violation of a right is legally justifiable. This is important in criminal justice
contexts, such as when the 48-hour rule is not followed .
10. What is the "48-hour rule" in South African law?
A) It applies only to South African citizens
B) It applies to every person arrested in South Africa
C) It applies only to people who have a lawyer
D) It applies only to innocent people
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 48-hour rule applies to every person arrested in South Africa.
Constitutional rights, including the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of
arrest, apply to everyone within the borders of the country, regardless of citizenship
status .
SECTION 2: ARMED ROBBERY AND TRIO CRIMES (Questions 31–80)
11. According to Conklin (1972), which of the following is a typology of armed
robber?
A) The professional robber
B) The cyber robber
C) The environmental robber
D) The political robber
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Conklin's classic typologies of armed robbers include professional, addict,
alcoholic, and opportunist robbers. These categories help criminologists understand
different motivations and patterns of behaviour among robbers .
12. What is a key characteristic of professional robbers?
A) They act impulsively without planning
B) They carefully plan their crimes with extensive preparation
C) They only commit crimes in rural areas
D) They never use weapons during robberies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional robbers carefully plan their crimes, demonstrating higher
sophistication than amateurs who may act impulsively. They exhibit dedication and
extensive planning in their criminal activities .
13. What is a characteristic of intermediate robbers?
A) Their engagement in armed robberies is sporadic and they intersperse these
robberies with other types of crimes
B) They exclusively commit professional robberies with extensive planning
C) They never use weapons during robberies
D) They only commit robberies in rural areas
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intermediate robbers engage in armed robberies sporadically and combine
these with other types of crimes. They require some preparation and possess moderate
