, OVM3701 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2023
Case study Five trucks were torched in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. This
brings to 16 the number of trucks set alight between 7 and 11 July 2023. All
the drivers were robbed. The number of trucks that have been destroyed in
arson attacks in the past three days has risen to 16 after five more were set
alight in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Eleven were torched over the weekend
– six in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday and five in Mpumalanga on Sunday
night. Allegations were that truck drivers were attacked and robbed before
two trucks were set alight. It is alleged that the incident took place shortly
before 22:00 while the drivers were in a queue on the N2. The men were
forced out of the trucks before the trucks were set alight. Police are
investigating a case of armed robbery, malicious damage to property and
attempted murder. On the same day, three trucks were torched in Limpopo
(McCain,2023). Against this background, critically discuss modus operandi of
the criminals in the above case study and the trademarks that form part of a
criminal’s modus operandi. In your answer, indicate the value of modus
operandi information in a particular crime and show how you, as investigator,
might use this information to trace the criminal.
Modus Operandi (MO) refers to the specific methods and techniques used by
criminals to carry out their illegal activities. In the case study you provided, the
criminals' modus operandi involves a pattern of attacking truck drivers, robbing
them, and then setting their trucks on fire. Let's break down the modus operandi
and discuss the trademarks that form part of the criminals' approach:
Targeting Trucks: The criminals specifically target trucks, which are vulnerable
due to their size and capacity to carry valuable goods. This indicates that the
criminals have knowledge of the trucking industry and understand the potential
gains from attacking these vehicles.
Robbery before Arson: The criminals engage in robbery before setting the trucks
on fire. This is a significant trademark of their MO, and it suggests that the primary
motive is not just destruction but also theft.
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