Exploring the value of physical evidence at rape crime scenes in Mamelodi

Abstract

Rape is a severe crime in South Africa, and several cases of rape pass through the courts every year. However, many of these cases fail to get convictions due to problems experienced while collecting evidence from the crime scene where the rape occurred. A worrying trend has grown gradually in South Africa, where the first responders to a crime scene are not suitably qualified to collect and handle evidence properly. This raises the prospect of evidence contamination, eventually rendering it inadmissible in court. One area where rape remains a severe problem is Mamelodi Township in Tshwane. This study investigated the significance of physical evidence rape crime cases and how evidence contamination can be prevented. Using the Mamelodi police cluster as a case study, the researcher used a qualitative approach to analyse the subject, and evidence was gathered from active police officers who deal with rape crimes and forensic scientists who work for the SAPS through semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study indicate that out of all the rape cases that are reported at Mamelodi Police Station, about 80% of them never end with a conviction due to several problems relating to physical evidence being inadequate or crime scenes being tampered with and evidence getting contaminated. The study results established that even though the SAPS has laid down clear procedures for physical evidence collection, there were challenges relating to adherence to those procedures, which is the main factor contributing to rape case attrition in the Mamelodi area. The study also established that physical evidence is the best form of evidence in a rape crime case, and if it is well handled, a conviction is guaranteed. The study's primary recommendation was that those police officers who collect evidence at rape crime scenes require regular training in evidence collection and crime scene management procedures to minimise evidence contamination at rape crime scenes.