CRI2601 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, QUESTION 1: Police Interview Questions
Here are five questions police officials can use to gather information, with an example for
each:
1. Open-ended questions: These encourage the interviewee to provide detailed,
narrative-style answers without being limited to a simple "yes" or "no." They are
excellent for establishing rapport and getting an initial overview of the event.
o Example: "Could you please describe what you saw from the moment you
arrived at the scene?"
2. Specific questions: These questions are used to gather precise details about a
particular aspect of the crime, such as a physical description, time, or location. They
are crucial for corroborating evidence and filling in gaps.
o Example: "What color was the car that drove away, and did you notice the
license plate number?"
3. Clarifying questions: These are used to confirm or elaborate on information that has
already been provided, ensuring that the police official has a clear and accurate
understanding of the testimony.
o Example: "You mentioned the suspect was wearing a jacket. Can you clarify
if it was a leather jacket or a different material?"
4. Hypothetical questions: These questions can be used to assess the interviewee's
memory or credibility by asking them to consider a hypothetical scenario related to
the event. They can sometimes reveal inconsistencies in a witness's account.
o Example: "If you had been standing closer, would you have been able to hear
what they were saying?"
5. Leading questions: While generally avoided in formal interviews to prevent
influencing a witness, these questions can be used to test a hypothesis or to fill in
missing details when other methods have been exhausted. They often suggest a
particular answer.
o Example: "The suspect was wearing a red shirt, wasn't he?"
QUESTION 2: Role of the Crime Administration System (CAS)
The Crime Administration System (CAS) is a critical digital tool used by the South African
Police Service (SAPS). It serves as a centralized database for managing and tracking crime-
related information from the initial reporting of a crime to its final resolution. Its primary role
is to ensure accurate record-keeping, efficient case management, and effective crime
analysis.
• Accurate Record-Keeping: When a crime is reported, a police officer captures all
the details into the CAS. This includes the nature of the crime, the location, the time,
and information about the victims and suspects. This data creates a unique case
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, QUESTION 1: Police Interview Questions
Here are five questions police officials can use to gather information, with an example for
each:
1. Open-ended questions: These encourage the interviewee to provide detailed,
narrative-style answers without being limited to a simple "yes" or "no." They are
excellent for establishing rapport and getting an initial overview of the event.
o Example: "Could you please describe what you saw from the moment you
arrived at the scene?"
2. Specific questions: These questions are used to gather precise details about a
particular aspect of the crime, such as a physical description, time, or location. They
are crucial for corroborating evidence and filling in gaps.
o Example: "What color was the car that drove away, and did you notice the
license plate number?"
3. Clarifying questions: These are used to confirm or elaborate on information that has
already been provided, ensuring that the police official has a clear and accurate
understanding of the testimony.
o Example: "You mentioned the suspect was wearing a jacket. Can you clarify
if it was a leather jacket or a different material?"
4. Hypothetical questions: These questions can be used to assess the interviewee's
memory or credibility by asking them to consider a hypothetical scenario related to
the event. They can sometimes reveal inconsistencies in a witness's account.
o Example: "If you had been standing closer, would you have been able to hear
what they were saying?"
5. Leading questions: While generally avoided in formal interviews to prevent
influencing a witness, these questions can be used to test a hypothesis or to fill in
missing details when other methods have been exhausted. They often suggest a
particular answer.
o Example: "The suspect was wearing a red shirt, wasn't he?"
QUESTION 2: Role of the Crime Administration System (CAS)
The Crime Administration System (CAS) is a critical digital tool used by the South African
Police Service (SAPS). It serves as a centralized database for managing and tracking crime-
related information from the initial reporting of a crime to its final resolution. Its primary role
is to ensure accurate record-keeping, efficient case management, and effective crime
analysis.
• Accurate Record-Keeping: When a crime is reported, a police officer captures all
the details into the CAS. This includes the nature of the crime, the location, the time,
and information about the victims and suspects. This data creates a unique case
