scholarly journals The storage of forensic evidence at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-220
Author(s):  
Juanita Van der Walt ◽  
Rose Luke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Judicial Process ◽  
Storage Facilities

One of the cornerstones of the judicial process is the presentation of evidence in a court of law. The integrity of evidence is vital to reassure the courts that the correct procedures were followed throughout all the processes it was subjected to. In South Africa, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Pretoria analyses and stores evidence. The storage facility within the FSL should contribute to the prevention of evidence contamination or degradation thereby also leading to improved service quality and output to its customers. The proper delivery of evidence can lead to the conviction of suspects and to the freedom of the innocent. This study investigates the storage facilities at the FSL to determine whether these are appropriate to ensure the integrity of evidence throughout all the processes it goes through and to recommend actions to continue to add value to the judicial system.

Novel scientific methods in court

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-357
Author(s):  
Lucina Hackman ◽  
Niamh Nic Daeid
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Unintended Consequence ◽  
Scientific Process ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Judicial Process ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Scientific Domain ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Scientific Advances

In recent decades the use of forensic science in investigations and therefore its subsequent presentation within the courts has increased exponentially, fuelled by an increase in scientific advances, development of databases and greater access to scientists and their expertise. This explosion in the use of forensic evidence has not been limited to one single scientific domain, as there are a broad range of scientific disciplines, encompassed by the general umbrella term' forensic science'. Many of these involve commonly applied methodologies and are accepted by the courts with limited scrutiny. Where tensions exist concerning the use of science in the courtroom is when novel or emerging sciences and scientific techniques are introduced. This may be particularly evident when the demands of the investigatory phase, where those working want to apply all possible tools at their disposal to gather as much evidence as possible and the needs of the courts, where the evidence must scientifically robust and admissible for it to be presented before a jury, come together. This paper examines the implications for the court for emerging or novel sciences and scientific techniques. In such cases, the potential rewards of implementing the scientific process and the information these may contribute to an investigation provides a temptation to investigators to push for their operational use, with the unintended consequence of posing an issue to the court when considering whether to admit the evidence into the judicial process.

Sem/X-Ray Applications to the Forensic Science Field

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 390-391
Author(s):  
K. Culbreth
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Depth Of Field ◽  
Surface Phenomena ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Science Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hit And Run ◽  
Evaluation Of Evidence ◽  
Scanning Electron

The introduction of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis to forensic science has provided additional methods by which investigative evidence can be analyzed. The importance of evidence from the scene of a crime or from the personal belongings of a victim and suspect has resulted in the development and evaluation of SEM/x-ray analysis applications to various types of forensic evidence. The intent of this paper is to describe some of these applications and to relate their importance to the investigation of criminal cases.The depth of field and high resolution of the SEM are an asset to the evaluation of evidence with respect to surface phenomena and physical matches (1). Fig. 1 shows a Phillips screw which has been reconstructed after the head and shank were separated during a hit-and-run accident.

The CSI Effect

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Chin
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Burden Of Proof ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Juror Decision Making ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Television Programs ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Csi Effect ◽  
Real Phenomenon ◽  
Scene Investigation

The CSI Effect posits that exposure to television programs that portray forensic science (e.g., CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) can change the way jurors evaluate forensic evidence. The most commonly researched hypothesis under the CSI Effect suggests that shows like CSI depict an unrealistically high standard of forensic science and thus unreasonably inflate the expectations of jurors. Jurors are thus more likely to vote to acquit, and prosecutors face higher burden of proof. We review (1) the theory behind the CSI Effect, (2) the perception of the effect among legal actors, (3) the academic treatment of the effect, and (4) how courts have dealt with the effect. We demonstrate that while legal actors do see the CSI Effect as a serious issue, there is virtually no empirical evidence suggesting it is a real phenomenon. Moreover, many of the remedies employed by courts may do no more than introduce bias into juror decision making or even trigger the CSI Effect when it would not normally occur (i.e., the self-fulfilling prophesy). We end with suggestions for the proper treatment of the CSI Effect in courts, and directions for future scholarly work.

Service quality expectations of online grocery consumers in Gauteng, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 599-620
Author(s):  
BS BRINK ◽  
◽  
GJ HEYNS ◽  
PJ KILBOURN ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Quality

scholarly journals CROSS COUNTRY ANALYSIS OF ONLINE BANKING SERVICE QUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA AND INDONESIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-203
Author(s):  
Johan W de Jager ◽  
◽  
Nuri Wulandari ◽  
Elizma Wannenburg ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Online Banking ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Banking Service ◽  
Country Analysis ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Automatic Teller Machines

Since the introduction of automatic teller machines, the online banking industry have evolved rapidly in order to stay abreast of today’s digital savvy customers. By keeping up to date with changes in the external environment as well as consumer needs can elevate the competitive advantage of banks. With that in mind, banks need to ensure that the service quality of the online banking services meets the expectations of its customers. The objective of the study is to evaluate and investigate the online banking customers’ perceptions of the service quality of banks in South Africa (SA) and Indonesia (INA). A survey was conducted among more than 300 respondents from both countries. The results revealed that within the eight dimensions of online banking service quality, each of the countries have different experiences when it comes to “high tech” versus “high touch”. The study has also found significant differences between the perceptions of both SA and INA’s banking customers. By understanding the perceptions of online banking customers in two developing countries can assist financial institutions with the development of new services or technologies that will enhance the online banking experience.

scholarly journals Smart Courts: The Expansion of Technology in the Chinese Judicial System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Hao ◽  
MENG CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Judicial System ◽  
Judicial Process ◽  
Efficient Alternative

In recent Covid-19 outbreak Chinese informationized judicial system provides reliable and efficient alternative platform for disputes resolution and judicatory justice. This article presents a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the Chinese judicial system’s efforts and achievements in informatizing the judicial process.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS FUNCTION OF THE JUDICIARY IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS: INSTITUTIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-225
Author(s):  
V.V. MOVCHAN
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
System Control ◽  
Judicial Process ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Legitimate Interests ◽  
Constitutional Right ◽  
Court Proceedings ◽  
Administrative Proceedings ◽  
Judicial Protection

The article reveals the theoretical aspects of administrative legal proceedings, as one of the forms of the exercise of judicial power, the features and significance of the administrative judicial process in the mechanism of protecting the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, the analysis is given of the constitutional foundations of the human rights function of the judiciary, its essence and content, procedural actions. The author reveals the historical aspects of the formation and development of judicial protection in Russia, oreign experience and models of administrative justice are considered, the importance of administrative proceedings in the implementation of the human rights function of the judiciary in the Russian Federation when considering disputes with the participation of public authorities and citizens and the exercise of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens is revealed. The author substantiates the advantages of the judicial administrative process as a procedural form of implementation of the human rights function of the judiciary and the implementation of the constitutional right to judicial protection, analyzes the reform of the judicial system of the judicial system, the creation of courts of appeal and cassation in the system of arbitration and general jurisdiction, substantiates the conclusion that the reform of the system of courts of general jurisdiction created organizational and judicial framework for the specialization of judges and court proceedings, the system of institutional intra-system control of the legality and validity of judicial acts, institutionally and functionally ensured the implementation of the human rights function of the judiciary and the availability of judicial protection in the system of courts of general jurisdiction.

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