Chapter 1.1: Ethics in the Investigation of a Scene.
Importance of Ethical Behaviour: Investigators must adhere to ethical
standards to support law enforcement and maintain public trust. Ethical
behavior is based on sound values and norms.
1. Prohibited Actions: Investigators must avoid altering evidence,
collecting evidence without a warrant, falsifying lab results, ignoring
evidence, or failing to report unethical behavior by colleagues.
2. Guiding Questions: Investigators can assess their actions by
asking if they would be proud to share their decisions with family or
if their actions would withstand public scrutiny.
3. Impact of Ethics: Acting ethically ensures trust in the community,
prevents unethical practices, and leads to thorough investigations.
Ethical behavior involves honesty, accuracy, impartiality, and
respect for values.
4. Consequences of Unethical Behavior: Unethical actions, such as
fabricating evidence, lying, or twisting facts, harm investigations
and damage public trust in law enforcement.
5. Advice for Investigators: Major General van Eyck emphasized the
importance of integrity, honesty, and avoiding lies, especially in
court. Transparency and professionalism are essential.
6. Legal and Social Implications: Courts have highlighted the
importance of honesty in cases like S v Chogugudza and R v Riekert.
Investigators must avoid coercion and resist corrupt influences.
Chapter 1.2: Responding to a Call-Out to a Scene of Incident.
Preparation Before Arrival: Investigators should gather critical
information about the scene, such as the exact location, number of
suspects, weapons involved, and escape routes. This helps ensure
personal and team safety.
1. Approach to Crime in Progress:
o Investigators should approach the scene quietly to avoid
alerting suspects.
o Coordination among responding officers is essential to
maximize protection and secure the area.
o An outer cordon should be established to prevent
unauthorized access and suspect escape.
, 2. Actions Upon Arrival:
o Avoid parking near doors or windows to reduce vulnerability.
o Approach cautiously with weapons drawn but avoid touching
anything to preserve evidence.
o Identify escape routes and potential hiding spots for suspects.
o Use force only as a last resort and within legal limits.
3. Securing the Scene:
o Ensure injured persons receive medical help immediately.
o Remove witnesses from the scene to prevent evidence
contamination and ensure independent statements.
o Reassure victims of their safety and professionalism.
4. Search for Fleeing Suspects:
o Obtain descriptions of suspects, vehicles, and weapons.
o Coordinate search efforts, including blocking escape routes
and deploying patrol vehicles strategically.
o Use a combined approach to trap suspects between the scene
and the outer perimeter.
5. Challenges in Coordination: Uncoordinated responses can hinder
investigations. Clear communication and strategic planning are vital
to ensure effective scene management.
Chapter 1.3: The Management of a Scene of Incident
, 1. Complexity of Scene Management: Managing a scene involves
multiple stages and actions, requiring coordination among various
units and individuals. It is a delicate process that unfolds
incrementally.
2. First Phases of Management:
o Begins when the first responder arrives at the scene.
o The responder secures the area, gathers initial information,
and hands over control to senior officials or investigators.
o Actions vary depending on the type of scene (e.g., toxic waste
spill vs. stolen vehicle).
3. Responsibility to Gather Evidence:
o Specialized personnel, such as crime scene technicians, are
responsible for collecting physical evidence.
o The investigator manages the scene and prepares the case
file, documenting all steps and results.
4. Incident Management Guidelines:
o Guidelines aim to preserve evidence and ensure systematic
investigation.
o Key tasks include securing the scene, recording facts,
coordinating resources, and collecting exhibits.
5. Golden Rules of Scene Management:
o Never touch, change, remove, or add anything until evidence
is documented, identified, measured, and photographed.
o Proper management prevents contamination and ensures the
integrity of evidence.
6. Key Principles:
o Locard Exchange Principle: Evidence is always left at a scene
due to reciprocal transfer of traces.
o Lochner Principle: Non-visible electronic traces, such as cell
phone signals, can be mapped and used in investigations.
o Continuity of Possession: Evidence must be safeguarded from
collection to presentation in court, ensuring its integrity.
7. Challenges and Importance:
Importance of Ethical Behaviour: Investigators must adhere to ethical
standards to support law enforcement and maintain public trust. Ethical
behavior is based on sound values and norms.
1. Prohibited Actions: Investigators must avoid altering evidence,
collecting evidence without a warrant, falsifying lab results, ignoring
evidence, or failing to report unethical behavior by colleagues.
2. Guiding Questions: Investigators can assess their actions by
asking if they would be proud to share their decisions with family or
if their actions would withstand public scrutiny.
3. Impact of Ethics: Acting ethically ensures trust in the community,
prevents unethical practices, and leads to thorough investigations.
Ethical behavior involves honesty, accuracy, impartiality, and
respect for values.
4. Consequences of Unethical Behavior: Unethical actions, such as
fabricating evidence, lying, or twisting facts, harm investigations
and damage public trust in law enforcement.
5. Advice for Investigators: Major General van Eyck emphasized the
importance of integrity, honesty, and avoiding lies, especially in
court. Transparency and professionalism are essential.
6. Legal and Social Implications: Courts have highlighted the
importance of honesty in cases like S v Chogugudza and R v Riekert.
Investigators must avoid coercion and resist corrupt influences.
Chapter 1.2: Responding to a Call-Out to a Scene of Incident.
Preparation Before Arrival: Investigators should gather critical
information about the scene, such as the exact location, number of
suspects, weapons involved, and escape routes. This helps ensure
personal and team safety.
1. Approach to Crime in Progress:
o Investigators should approach the scene quietly to avoid
alerting suspects.
o Coordination among responding officers is essential to
maximize protection and secure the area.
o An outer cordon should be established to prevent
unauthorized access and suspect escape.
, 2. Actions Upon Arrival:
o Avoid parking near doors or windows to reduce vulnerability.
o Approach cautiously with weapons drawn but avoid touching
anything to preserve evidence.
o Identify escape routes and potential hiding spots for suspects.
o Use force only as a last resort and within legal limits.
3. Securing the Scene:
o Ensure injured persons receive medical help immediately.
o Remove witnesses from the scene to prevent evidence
contamination and ensure independent statements.
o Reassure victims of their safety and professionalism.
4. Search for Fleeing Suspects:
o Obtain descriptions of suspects, vehicles, and weapons.
o Coordinate search efforts, including blocking escape routes
and deploying patrol vehicles strategically.
o Use a combined approach to trap suspects between the scene
and the outer perimeter.
5. Challenges in Coordination: Uncoordinated responses can hinder
investigations. Clear communication and strategic planning are vital
to ensure effective scene management.
Chapter 1.3: The Management of a Scene of Incident
, 1. Complexity of Scene Management: Managing a scene involves
multiple stages and actions, requiring coordination among various
units and individuals. It is a delicate process that unfolds
incrementally.
2. First Phases of Management:
o Begins when the first responder arrives at the scene.
o The responder secures the area, gathers initial information,
and hands over control to senior officials or investigators.
o Actions vary depending on the type of scene (e.g., toxic waste
spill vs. stolen vehicle).
3. Responsibility to Gather Evidence:
o Specialized personnel, such as crime scene technicians, are
responsible for collecting physical evidence.
o The investigator manages the scene and prepares the case
file, documenting all steps and results.
4. Incident Management Guidelines:
o Guidelines aim to preserve evidence and ensure systematic
investigation.
o Key tasks include securing the scene, recording facts,
coordinating resources, and collecting exhibits.
5. Golden Rules of Scene Management:
o Never touch, change, remove, or add anything until evidence
is documented, identified, measured, and photographed.
o Proper management prevents contamination and ensures the
integrity of evidence.
6. Key Principles:
o Locard Exchange Principle: Evidence is always left at a scene
due to reciprocal transfer of traces.
o Lochner Principle: Non-visible electronic traces, such as cell
phone signals, can be mapped and used in investigations.
o Continuity of Possession: Evidence must be safeguarded from
collection to presentation in court, ensuring its integrity.
7. Challenges and Importance:
