SEP1503
ASSIGNMENT 1
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
, Corporate Investigation I - SEP1503
QUESTION 1
The Locard Principle, also known as the Locard Exchange Principle, states that
whenever two objects or persons come into contact with each other, there is an
exchange of material between them. In other words, contact between the perpetrator,
victim and crime scene may leave behind physical evidence that can help establish a
connection between them.
In this case, the woman scratched the face of the man who attempted to rape her.
During the physical struggle, material could have been transferred between the victim
and the suspect. For example, the woman may have left skin cells, blood or other
biological material under the suspect's fingernails or on his face, while the suspect
may have transferred his own skin cells, blood, hair or clothing fibres to the woman.
The investigator can therefore collect forensic evidence from the arrested suspect,
particularly samples from his face and underneath his fingernails, and compare
these with samples obtained from the complainant. DNA analysis can be used to
determine whether biological material recovered from the suspect is consistent with the
complainant. If the evidence corresponds, it can assist investigators in linking the
suspect to the physical struggle and potentially to the crime.
The principle is therefore useful in this case because, although the complainant cannot
identify or describe the attacker, the physical contact between them may have
resulted in an exchange of evidence that can help establish a connection between
the suspect and the crime.
ASSIGNMENT 1
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
, Corporate Investigation I - SEP1503
QUESTION 1
The Locard Principle, also known as the Locard Exchange Principle, states that
whenever two objects or persons come into contact with each other, there is an
exchange of material between them. In other words, contact between the perpetrator,
victim and crime scene may leave behind physical evidence that can help establish a
connection between them.
In this case, the woman scratched the face of the man who attempted to rape her.
During the physical struggle, material could have been transferred between the victim
and the suspect. For example, the woman may have left skin cells, blood or other
biological material under the suspect's fingernails or on his face, while the suspect
may have transferred his own skin cells, blood, hair or clothing fibres to the woman.
The investigator can therefore collect forensic evidence from the arrested suspect,
particularly samples from his face and underneath his fingernails, and compare
these with samples obtained from the complainant. DNA analysis can be used to
determine whether biological material recovered from the suspect is consistent with the
complainant. If the evidence corresponds, it can assist investigators in linking the
suspect to the physical struggle and potentially to the crime.
The principle is therefore useful in this case because, although the complainant cannot
identify or describe the attacker, the physical contact between them may have
resulted in an exchange of evidence that can help establish a connection between
the suspect and the crime.
