FOR2605
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 782886
DUE 3 September 2025
,FOR2605 – Assignment 01 (Semester 2, 2025)
Unique Number: 782886
Student: [Your Name]
Question 1
The actions of an investigator at the crime scene are vitally important to maintain
the value of the physical evidence. At different crime scenes, investigators have
certain duties to perform to take control of the crime scene. Briefly discuss those
duties.
(10 marks)
✓ Securing and controlling the scene
✓ Ensuring safety and attending to injured persons,
✓ Maintaining accurate records,
✓ Conducting an initial survey
✓ Coordinating proper evidence collection.
When an investigator arrives at a crime scene, their primary duty is to secure the
area and establish full control. This means ensuring that no unauthorised individuals,
including bystanders, media, or even other officers without a role, enter the scene, as
uncontrolled access may lead to contamination or loss of vital evidence (Van der
Westhuizen, 1996). The investigator must immediately identify the boundaries of the
crime scene and extend them, if necessary, since it is better to secure an area too wide
than to narrow one.
The next duty is to ensure safety and provide emergency assistance where
needed. While evidence preservation is critical, human life always comes first. If there
are injured persons, medical personnel must be allowed in, but investigators should
document and monitor their movements carefully to protect trace evidence (Marais &
Van Rooyen, 1990).
Another important duty is to record and document all details from the moment of
arrival. This includes noting the date, time, weather conditions, and names of all people
, present. A scene log should be kept tracking everyone who enters and leaves. Such
records are crucial in maintaining the chain of custody and credibility of evidence in
court.
The investigator must then conduct an initial walk-through survey of the scene. The
purpose of this preliminary examination is not to collect evidence immediately but to
obtain an overall impression of the layout, identify fragile or transient evidence (such as
odours, blood spatter, or shoeprints), and determine priorities for the detailed
investigation (Dube, 2022).
Finally, the investigator has a duty to coordinate evidence collection. This involves
directing forensic experts, photographers, sketch artists, and evidence technicians,
ensuring that every item is properly located, documented, photographed, packaged, and
preserved. The investigator also ensures that the scene is systematically processed
according to accepted procedures.
In summary, these responsibilities protect the integrity of physical evidence and ensure
that it can later be admitted in court without question (Van der Westhuizen, 1996; Dube,
2022).
Question 2
Discuss the following five (5) search methods of crime scene search and their
advantages.
(10 marks)
When processing a crime scene, investigators must use a systematic search method to
ensure that all potential evidence is located, documented, and preserved. The choice of
method depends on the size, type, and location of the scene, as well as the number of
investigators available (Van der Westhuizen, 1996). The five most common search
methods are discussed below.
1. Strip or Line Method
In this method, investigators walk in straight parallel lines across the crime
scene, usually in one direction. Once the entire area is covered, they may repeat
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 782886
DUE 3 September 2025
,FOR2605 – Assignment 01 (Semester 2, 2025)
Unique Number: 782886
Student: [Your Name]
Question 1
The actions of an investigator at the crime scene are vitally important to maintain
the value of the physical evidence. At different crime scenes, investigators have
certain duties to perform to take control of the crime scene. Briefly discuss those
duties.
(10 marks)
✓ Securing and controlling the scene
✓ Ensuring safety and attending to injured persons,
✓ Maintaining accurate records,
✓ Conducting an initial survey
✓ Coordinating proper evidence collection.
When an investigator arrives at a crime scene, their primary duty is to secure the
area and establish full control. This means ensuring that no unauthorised individuals,
including bystanders, media, or even other officers without a role, enter the scene, as
uncontrolled access may lead to contamination or loss of vital evidence (Van der
Westhuizen, 1996). The investigator must immediately identify the boundaries of the
crime scene and extend them, if necessary, since it is better to secure an area too wide
than to narrow one.
The next duty is to ensure safety and provide emergency assistance where
needed. While evidence preservation is critical, human life always comes first. If there
are injured persons, medical personnel must be allowed in, but investigators should
document and monitor their movements carefully to protect trace evidence (Marais &
Van Rooyen, 1990).
Another important duty is to record and document all details from the moment of
arrival. This includes noting the date, time, weather conditions, and names of all people
, present. A scene log should be kept tracking everyone who enters and leaves. Such
records are crucial in maintaining the chain of custody and credibility of evidence in
court.
The investigator must then conduct an initial walk-through survey of the scene. The
purpose of this preliminary examination is not to collect evidence immediately but to
obtain an overall impression of the layout, identify fragile or transient evidence (such as
odours, blood spatter, or shoeprints), and determine priorities for the detailed
investigation (Dube, 2022).
Finally, the investigator has a duty to coordinate evidence collection. This involves
directing forensic experts, photographers, sketch artists, and evidence technicians,
ensuring that every item is properly located, documented, photographed, packaged, and
preserved. The investigator also ensures that the scene is systematically processed
according to accepted procedures.
In summary, these responsibilities protect the integrity of physical evidence and ensure
that it can later be admitted in court without question (Van der Westhuizen, 1996; Dube,
2022).
Question 2
Discuss the following five (5) search methods of crime scene search and their
advantages.
(10 marks)
When processing a crime scene, investigators must use a systematic search method to
ensure that all potential evidence is located, documented, and preserved. The choice of
method depends on the size, type, and location of the scene, as well as the number of
investigators available (Van der Westhuizen, 1996). The five most common search
methods are discussed below.
1. Strip or Line Method
In this method, investigators walk in straight parallel lines across the crime
scene, usually in one direction. Once the entire area is covered, they may repeat
