©WM Moagi
Criminology 210
Chapter 3: Information through Communications
Subjective information is gathered from people in a criminal investigation by talking to them and
posing questions.
majority of a criminal investigator’s time (up to 90%) is spent on gathering, processing and
evaluating subjective information.
cooperation of people who have information about a crime that was committed, the criminal
investigator can barely function.
Alphonse Bertillon is considered the founder of personal descriptions as a means of
identification in criminal investigations.
Bertillon, used Quetelet’s supposition of uniqueness, which posits that no person has exactly
the same measurements and sizes across their body, to develop anthropometry as a method of
offender identification.
Bertillon’s method was called the Bertilllonage.
entailed the measurement of eleven key points of the body, including the length and
breadth of the head to the distance between elbow joint and fingertip, plus a description
of the perpetrator’s eye, hair and skin colour.
Bertillon calculated the odds of two persons having the same description and measurements as
being 4 194 304:1.
different types of witnesses
An eyewitness is a person who personally saw the crime transpire. The evidence of the
eyewitness would be given more weight during the trial, because the witness was present and
saw. an eyewitness, the additional evidence is value that is added.
A corroborative witness is a person who can provide information about the circumstances which
surrounded a crime. The corroborative witness can provide strong evidence to suggest that the
man running from the store committed the crime. corroborative witness, more evidence is
required to support the conclusion.
both witnesses can provide valuable information and may be able to identify the suspect.
unbiased independent witnesses, also known as third-party witnesses. no way associated with
the victim, suspect, or the crime.
PD(Physical Description) is a verbal description of the physical features of an alleged
perpetrator.
physical description are:
(i) Surrounding features (e.g. race, age and sex).
(ii) The head (e.g. size and shape, nose, mouth, chin, hair, eyes, cheeks, teeth and ears).
, lOMoARcPSD|8128673
(iii) The rest of the body (e.g. neck, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, stomach, hips, legs and
feet).
(iv) Physical peculiarities (e.g. abnormalities, gait, voice, speech traits and language).
police through using supplementary techniques to assist the witness to ensure that descriptions
are as accurate;
1. Comparisons and corresponding descriptions the witness is asked to compare
what is known at present with what he/she remembers.
2. Criminal photograph albums (Rogue’s Galleries) photographs of previously
convicted criminals are used.
3. Sketches by police artists
The sketches are done in pencil
A four-step process is usually followed:
- Initially, the artist engages the witness in light conversation, putting the witness at ease
to recall events without undue stress.
- Secondly, the artist creates a basic sketch, depicting general shapes including the head,
hair, ears and the cheeks.
- Then, guided by the witness, features and shading are added. - Finally, refinements are
made, giving the face a lifelike appearance and expression.
4. Composite pictures of the face (IdentiKits) manual or electronic toolkits consisting of graphic
representations (e.g. photographs) of basic facial features that are interchangeable (e.g. facial
forms, eye shapes, noses, eyebrows, lips, hairstyles etc.)
PDs (Physical Description) are based on communication. Information (not just to obtain a physical
description) can be gathered from people during the process of questioning.
two techniques
(i) Interviewing – ANY PERSON who is ready, willing and qualified to provide information.
(ii) Interrogation – ANY PERSON who is reluctant, unwilling or hostile to provide information.
It should be noted that a commonly held belief i
strategies/approaches can be used during an interrogation
Single purpose interrogation – the aim is to convince interrogees that the only way out is to
confess.
Pessimism interrogation – the aim is to paint a grim picture of their future by using fear of the
unknown and raising doubts about what awaits them.
Guilt feelings interrogation – the aim is to evoke guilt in the person by suggesting that family and
friends are disappoint and shocked by their involvement “doing the right thing”.
General information forms part of PDs.
Criminology 210
Chapter 3: Information through Communications
Subjective information is gathered from people in a criminal investigation by talking to them and
posing questions.
majority of a criminal investigator’s time (up to 90%) is spent on gathering, processing and
evaluating subjective information.
cooperation of people who have information about a crime that was committed, the criminal
investigator can barely function.
Alphonse Bertillon is considered the founder of personal descriptions as a means of
identification in criminal investigations.
Bertillon, used Quetelet’s supposition of uniqueness, which posits that no person has exactly
the same measurements and sizes across their body, to develop anthropometry as a method of
offender identification.
Bertillon’s method was called the Bertilllonage.
entailed the measurement of eleven key points of the body, including the length and
breadth of the head to the distance between elbow joint and fingertip, plus a description
of the perpetrator’s eye, hair and skin colour.
Bertillon calculated the odds of two persons having the same description and measurements as
being 4 194 304:1.
different types of witnesses
An eyewitness is a person who personally saw the crime transpire. The evidence of the
eyewitness would be given more weight during the trial, because the witness was present and
saw. an eyewitness, the additional evidence is value that is added.
A corroborative witness is a person who can provide information about the circumstances which
surrounded a crime. The corroborative witness can provide strong evidence to suggest that the
man running from the store committed the crime. corroborative witness, more evidence is
required to support the conclusion.
both witnesses can provide valuable information and may be able to identify the suspect.
unbiased independent witnesses, also known as third-party witnesses. no way associated with
the victim, suspect, or the crime.
PD(Physical Description) is a verbal description of the physical features of an alleged
perpetrator.
physical description are:
(i) Surrounding features (e.g. race, age and sex).
(ii) The head (e.g. size and shape, nose, mouth, chin, hair, eyes, cheeks, teeth and ears).
, lOMoARcPSD|8128673
(iii) The rest of the body (e.g. neck, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, stomach, hips, legs and
feet).
(iv) Physical peculiarities (e.g. abnormalities, gait, voice, speech traits and language).
police through using supplementary techniques to assist the witness to ensure that descriptions
are as accurate;
1. Comparisons and corresponding descriptions the witness is asked to compare
what is known at present with what he/she remembers.
2. Criminal photograph albums (Rogue’s Galleries) photographs of previously
convicted criminals are used.
3. Sketches by police artists
The sketches are done in pencil
A four-step process is usually followed:
- Initially, the artist engages the witness in light conversation, putting the witness at ease
to recall events without undue stress.
- Secondly, the artist creates a basic sketch, depicting general shapes including the head,
hair, ears and the cheeks.
- Then, guided by the witness, features and shading are added. - Finally, refinements are
made, giving the face a lifelike appearance and expression.
4. Composite pictures of the face (IdentiKits) manual or electronic toolkits consisting of graphic
representations (e.g. photographs) of basic facial features that are interchangeable (e.g. facial
forms, eye shapes, noses, eyebrows, lips, hairstyles etc.)
PDs (Physical Description) are based on communication. Information (not just to obtain a physical
description) can be gathered from people during the process of questioning.
two techniques
(i) Interviewing – ANY PERSON who is ready, willing and qualified to provide information.
(ii) Interrogation – ANY PERSON who is reluctant, unwilling or hostile to provide information.
It should be noted that a commonly held belief i
strategies/approaches can be used during an interrogation
Single purpose interrogation – the aim is to convince interrogees that the only way out is to
confess.
Pessimism interrogation – the aim is to paint a grim picture of their future by using fear of the
unknown and raising doubts about what awaits them.
Guilt feelings interrogation – the aim is to evoke guilt in the person by suggesting that family and
friends are disappoint and shocked by their involvement “doing the right thing”.
General information forms part of PDs.
