Retrospective analysis of the outcomes of animal crime scene investigation in Thabazimbi from 2013-2015

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluation of case outcomes is a useful tool in improving animal crime scene investigations. The methods used to collect evidence in the field in animal crime cases need to monitored and improved where weaknesses are found in order to secure arrests and successful prosecutions and effective sentences. The low percentage of animal crime cases reported and effectively prosecuted reduces the confidence of the public in the police's ability to investigate these crimes. Wildlife crime, particularly crimes related to CITES listed species whose products such as rhino horn and ivory are traded illegally at extremely high prices is increasing exponentially. This study showed that only 8 out of 71 (11%) of animal related cases reported and investigated in the study area over the period 2013 to 2015 had guilty as a verdict, indicating that current animal crime scene investigation methods, especially in certain areas in the country, are not adequate to ensure successful prosecution of the majority of cases.