Chapter 2: The Crime Scene
Define the concept scene of a crime
• The scene of a crime is defined as the locality of hidden clues which can lead to the clarification or
detection of the crime.
Three main phases in the investigation of a crime scene
1. A pre - investigative phase:
The arrival at, take - over and protection of the scene.
2. Investigative phase:
The scene of the crime is carefully and purposefully searched, all potentials of individualisation are identified,
and a permanent record is created by way of reporting. During this phase special attention is given to the
precise location of crime information.
3. A post - investigative phase:
Round off the search at the scene as well as a primary probe. This entails the gathering of information, its
utilisation during subsequent investigations and the coordination, control and integration of information for
the purpose of individualisation.
Dual purpose of the take - over and control of the scene of the crime
1. Prevent any possible information from being disturbed or destroyed.
2. Enables the investigator to make a preliminary identification of the situation by means of reports by
witnesses and people directly involved and to obtain a tentative description of the offender.
Important procedures that apply to the take - over and control of the crime scene
1. Take immediate charge of the scene and request backing if no arrangements have been made.
2. Remove all witnesses, complainants and bystanders to a safe place where they can be questioned.
3. Record particulars of all the people at the scene for a possible succeeding consultation.
4. Take any suspect(s) to a safe place to prevent suggestion, association and prejudice among persons
involved.
5. Keep suspects away from witnesses.
6. Take precautions so that possible witnesses do not discuss the events.
7. Particulars of the case should not be discussed with witnesses, onlookers or the media.
8. Observe bystanders unobtrusively.
Protection of the scene of the crime
• Involves not only the scene and the physical and potential evidence, but also the protection of people and
property.
• Possible victims at the scene are medically treated as far as possible and comforted.
• All persons who have no direct interest in the scene of the crime or who are not needed are removed from
the fenced - off area to prevent contamination of the scene.
Compiled by Charmaine N. Moyo
Not to be resold.
, KRM 210 SECTION A & B NOTES
The pre - investigative phase
• Commences as soon as the first policeman arrives at the scene of the crime.
• The scene must be taken over and cordoned off, awaiting the arrival of the investigator.
• Nobody is allowed to leave or enter the scene.
Methods used to search a crime scene
The wheel method
• How: Investigators start at the central point of the scene and then move further and further away from
the point of departure.
• Advantages:
- Information that is relatively far from the scene can be located.
• Disadvantages:
- Demands available manpower.
- Concealed information will be difficult to locate (can be solved by combining with the zone method).
- Scene could be disturbed when investigators first move to the central point.
The spiral method
• How: Investigators start at an outlaying point and proceed to the central point of the scene while a
pattern similar to that of a spiral decreasing in size, is followed.
• Advantages:
- Risk of disturbing the scene is much smaller.
- Less manpower is needed.
- Can be applied effectively in small areas and indoors.
The zone method
• How: The scene of the crime is sectioned, and every investigator allocated an area to search. After each
zone has been searched, then the investigators can rotate and search another zone.
• Advantages:
- Can be used indoors, except for big constructions such as factories.
• Disadvantages:
- Requires a lot of manpower
The strip method
• How: The search is confined to rectangular areas by one or more investigators who proceed in a parallel
manner from one boundary to the other.
• Advantages:
- Can be used indoors.
• Disadvantages:
- Definite boundaries can result in the loss of relatively distant information. - Co - ordination and
control are hampered.
The grid method
• How: The search of the rectangular areas take place both horizontally and vertically.
• Advantages:
- Extremely thorough as each area is searched twice.
- Can be used indoors.
• Disadvantages:
Compiled by Charmaine N. Moyo
, KRM 210 SECTION A & B NOTES
- Manpower and time - consuming.
- Could lead to confusion among investigators.
- Could hamper control and disturb the scene
Post - investigative phase
• The rounding off of the crime scene. It serves as the primary investigation.
• Includes the gathering of information, utilising it during the secondary investigation and co-ordinating,
controlling and integrating it for the purpose of individualisation.
• The following principles conform to the requirements of integrity, continuity and legality:
- Causality is important since it has relevance to a behaviour which causes a prohibited condition.
- The handling of physical or material crime information determines its physical integrity. This implies
that the information must reach the laboratory undamaged and uncontaminated.
Continuity of possession implies the continuous, safe possession and identification of physical information.
Chapter 3: (Subjective) Information Through Communication
Origin of personal description as a method to solve a crime
• The father of the Personal Identification system is Alphonse Bertillon. He used Quetelet’s
supposition of uniqueness to design an anthropometric method of identification of criminals.
• The anthropometric method of identification measured the body in eleven key points and then
relate those measurements to that person’s eyes, hair and skin colour.
• Portrait parlé - spoken image (What someone looks like in words) - describing human head and
facial features.
• Composite pictures of the face (Identi-kit) are still used today.
What Do Personal Descriptions Entail?
• A personal description is an oral description of what someone looks like in words.
• It is subjective information - sensory, memory, power of observation.
• Supplementary techniques - techniques used by the police to make sure the physical description they get
is as reliable as possible.
• Communication - Asking questions to get information.
• General information - More personal types of questions.
Items of a Physical Description (Don’t need to list the items)
They start with the:
1. special features , which includes
• Race
• Gender
• Age
2. The head :
▪ Size and shape
▪ profile forehead
Compiled by Charmaine N. Moyo
, KRM 210 SECTION A & B NOTES
o nose
o mouth
o chin
▪ hair
o colour
o nature
o style
o combed
o baldness
• face
• complexion
• moustache and beard
• eyes
o size and shape
o colour
o conspicuous features
o position
o glasses
o eye-banks
o eye- lashes
• eyebrows
• cheeks
• teeth
o colour
o position
o condition
• ears
o size
o shape
o position
o earlobes
3. Rest of the body
• neck
o length
o thickness
o others
• shoulders
o size
o posture
o shape
• arms
o length
Compiled by Charmaine N. Moyo
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