FOR3701 Assignment 2
(COMPLEE GUIDELINE)
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 24
April 2025;
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of
the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of
the contents of the document.]
,CASE STUDY Media Statement: South African Police Service: Office of the
Provincial Commissioner Gauteng PARKTOWN - Six cash-in-transit robbery
suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with the police and other
law enforcement agencies in Laudium, Tshwane, on Monday, 24 February
2025, just after 17:00. The seventh suspect, aged 22, was arrested without
injuries. He is an off-duty employee of the CIT company, whose vehicle was
targeted by the gang. Police recovered three cell phones, five unlicensed
firearms and ammunition. Police from Crime Intelligence received
information about the suspects who were en route to commit cash-in-transit
robbery in Atteridgeville and activated the team that includes SAPS Gauteng
Tactical Response Team, SAPS Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit, Gauteng Traffic
Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect to be on a
lookout for the suspects. The team spotted two vehicles driven by the
suspects, a BMW X1 and an Audi A4, following a cash-in-transit van. In
realising that the police were in the vicinity, the suspects abandoned their
mission and sped off. It is then that the police gave chase. As they were
stopped at Laudium, the suspects fired shots at the law enforcement officers,
and a shootout ensued. Six suspects were shot and killed, and one suspect
was arrested without injuries while few others escaped. It was established
that one of the cars driven by the suspects, an Audi A4, was reported to be
hijacked in Cleveland, Johannesburg, in December 2024. Preliminary
investigation suggests that the suspects are part of the gang that committed
a cash-in-transit robbery in Atteridgeville recently, where four security
guards were shot and injured. They are also suspected of being involved in
other cash-in-transit robberies in Gauteng and other provinces. The suspects
are facing charges that include conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of
unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as attempted murder (SAPS,
2025). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The CIT company appoints you to assist
the SAPS with their investigation. Answer all the questions based on the case
study. Question 1 Question 1.1 Explain (in your own words) what the Locard
Exchange Principle is and how you would apply it to the suspects' vehicles
(BMW X1 and Audi A4) in this case study. (4) Question
Question 1.1:
Explain (in your own words) what the Locard Exchange Principle is and how you would
apply it to the suspects' vehicles (BMW X1 and Audi A4) in this case study. (4)
Answer:
The Locard Exchange Principle is a forensic theory that states: "Every contact leaves a trace."
This means that when two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material from
one to the other. For example, a suspect may leave behind fingerprints, hair, fibers, or DNA at a
crime scene, and at the same time, may take away traces from that location.
, In this case study, the BMW X1 and Audi A4 used by the suspects can be examined using this
principle. Forensic investigators would look for evidence transferred between the vehicles and
the suspects, such as:
Fingerprints on the steering wheel, gear lever, and door handles,
Hair or fibers left on the car seats,
DNA (e.g., from sweat or blood) on seat belts, seats, or gear,
Gunshot residue inside the vehicles from the shootout,
Soil or plant material on the vehicle’s tires or carpets that could link them to other crime
scenes.
By collecting and analyzing this evidence, investigators can confirm who was inside the vehicles
and possibly link them to previous cash-in-transit robberies or other crime scenes mentioned
in the case.
Explain (in your own words) what the Locard Exchange Principle is and how you would
apply it to the suspects' vehicles (BMW X1 and Audi A4) in this case study. (4)
The Locard Exchange Principle states that whenever two objects come into contact, there is
always a transfer of material between them. In other words, criminals will always leave
something at a crime scene (like hair, fibers, fingerprints, or DNA), and they will also take
something from the scene with them, even if it’s microscopic.
In this case, the principle can be applied to the BMW X1 and Audi A4 used by the suspects.
These vehicles may contain traces of physical evidence that could link the suspects to the crime
or previous crimes. For example, investigators can:
Look for fingerprints or DNA left inside the cars, like on steering wheels, door handles,
or gear shifts.
Collect fibers, soil, or plant material that may have transferred from the suspects'
clothing or shoes to the vehicle, or vice versa.
Search for gunshot residue or traces of cash or dye packs from the robbery.
Check for materials like broken glass or bloodstains from the shootout.
All this evidence can help link the suspects to the attempted robbery, previous crimes, or each
other.