,© 2010 University of South Africa
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
FOR1501/1/2021-2022
10019898
InDesign
CGM_Style
,CONTENTS
Page
FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF FORENSIC SCIENCEv
Study unit 1: The forensic investigator 1
1.1 Introduction1
1.2 Who is the investigator? 2
1.3 Mandate to investigate 8
1.4 Private persons 11
1.5 Discussion12
1.6 Summary12
Study unit 2: The investigative process 15
2.1 Introduction15
2.2 Investigation16
2.3 Purpose of investigation 17
2.4 Criminal vs forensic investigation 18
2.5 Investigative process 19
2.6 Summary21
Study unit 3: Basic concepts in the investigative process 23
3.1 Introduction23
3.2 Identification 24
3.3 Individualisation26
3.4 Locard exchange principle 27
3.5 Continuity of possession 28
3.6 Guidelines for maintaining the chain of possession 29
3.7 Summary30
Study unit 4: Information32
4.1 Introduction33
4.2 Definition 33
4.3 Information and investigation 34
4.4 People as sources of information 36
4.5 Taking notes 37
4.6 Methods of taking notes 39
4.7 Techniques in obtaining information 41
4.8 Standard of proof and burden of proof 42
4.9 Summary43
FOR1501/1(iii)
, Study unit 5: Statements: theory 46
5.1 Introduction46
5.2 Definition 47
5.3 Sworn witness statements 48
5.4 Requirements for an affidavit 49
5.5 Administrative arrangements 50
5.6 Affirmation or solemn declaration 51
5.7 Admonishment51
5.8 Unsworn statement 52
5.9 Dying declaration 52
5.10 Exculpatory statement 53
5.11 Suspected persons: interviews and statements 53
5.12 Statements made by witnesses 55
5.13 Confessions56
5.14 Admissions56
5.15 Summary57
Study unit 6: Statement: practical considerations 59
6.1 Introduction59
6.2 Preamble60
6.3 Getting started 61
6.4 Conclusion of the statement 64
6.5 Supplementary statements 66
6.6 Anonymous deponent 66
6.7 Requirements67
6.8 Summary70
Study unit 7: Constitutional and administrative prescripts 71
7.1 Introduction71
7.2 Judges’ rules 74
7.3 Constitution76
7.4 Summary79
Study unit 8: Crime scene management 82
8.1 Introduction82
8.2 What is a crime scene? 83
8.3 Initial actions of an investigator upon receiving a report of a crime or incident 85
8.4 Assessing and entering a crime scene 85
8.5 Evidence found at a crime scene 85
8.6 Protecting a crime scene 86
8.7 Continuity of possession (chain of evidence) 86
8.8 Record-keeping at a scene of crime/incident 87
8.9 Note taking 87
8.10 Characteristics of the content of notes 89
8.11 Sketch plans of the crime scene 89
8.12 Summary90
Study unit 9: Testimony by the investigator 93
9.1 Introduction93
9.2 Conduct in court 94
9.3 Notes95
9.4 Summary96
9.5 Rerences
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
FOR1501/1/2021-2022
10019898
InDesign
CGM_Style
,CONTENTS
Page
FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF FORENSIC SCIENCEv
Study unit 1: The forensic investigator 1
1.1 Introduction1
1.2 Who is the investigator? 2
1.3 Mandate to investigate 8
1.4 Private persons 11
1.5 Discussion12
1.6 Summary12
Study unit 2: The investigative process 15
2.1 Introduction15
2.2 Investigation16
2.3 Purpose of investigation 17
2.4 Criminal vs forensic investigation 18
2.5 Investigative process 19
2.6 Summary21
Study unit 3: Basic concepts in the investigative process 23
3.1 Introduction23
3.2 Identification 24
3.3 Individualisation26
3.4 Locard exchange principle 27
3.5 Continuity of possession 28
3.6 Guidelines for maintaining the chain of possession 29
3.7 Summary30
Study unit 4: Information32
4.1 Introduction33
4.2 Definition 33
4.3 Information and investigation 34
4.4 People as sources of information 36
4.5 Taking notes 37
4.6 Methods of taking notes 39
4.7 Techniques in obtaining information 41
4.8 Standard of proof and burden of proof 42
4.9 Summary43
FOR1501/1(iii)
, Study unit 5: Statements: theory 46
5.1 Introduction46
5.2 Definition 47
5.3 Sworn witness statements 48
5.4 Requirements for an affidavit 49
5.5 Administrative arrangements 50
5.6 Affirmation or solemn declaration 51
5.7 Admonishment51
5.8 Unsworn statement 52
5.9 Dying declaration 52
5.10 Exculpatory statement 53
5.11 Suspected persons: interviews and statements 53
5.12 Statements made by witnesses 55
5.13 Confessions56
5.14 Admissions56
5.15 Summary57
Study unit 6: Statement: practical considerations 59
6.1 Introduction59
6.2 Preamble60
6.3 Getting started 61
6.4 Conclusion of the statement 64
6.5 Supplementary statements 66
6.6 Anonymous deponent 66
6.7 Requirements67
6.8 Summary70
Study unit 7: Constitutional and administrative prescripts 71
7.1 Introduction71
7.2 Judges’ rules 74
7.3 Constitution76
7.4 Summary79
Study unit 8: Crime scene management 82
8.1 Introduction82
8.2 What is a crime scene? 83
8.3 Initial actions of an investigator upon receiving a report of a crime or incident 85
8.4 Assessing and entering a crime scene 85
8.5 Evidence found at a crime scene 85
8.6 Protecting a crime scene 86
8.7 Continuity of possession (chain of evidence) 86
8.8 Record-keeping at a scene of crime/incident 87
8.9 Note taking 87
8.10 Characteristics of the content of notes 89
8.11 Sketch plans of the crime scene 89
8.12 Summary90
Study unit 9: Testimony by the investigator 93
9.1 Introduction93
9.2 Conduct in court 94
9.3 Notes95
9.4 Summary96
9.5 Rerences
