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Don’t ever tamper with a crime scene

How could the unspeakable nightmare of protecting yourself and your family against an invader in your home become even more horrific? It could; if you killed an attacker in self-defence, you were arrested and consequently prosecuted for murder. Unfortunately, this is a reality and we see different versions of these types of stories regularly in the media. The SAPS do make these sorts of arrests even though the laws governing these procedures are not always known, understood or even appear logical to the non-professional at times.

It is obvious that people can become emotional in such situations. Trauma and shock could very easily cloud one’s judgement. In such a scenario, individuals who may have killed an attacker in self defence panic and tamper with the crime scene and the evidence. Never allow this to happen.

By attempting to make themselves seem less guilty in their own perception, these people actually make themselves appear more guilty or as having motives other than self defence. As to why people may believe this is a good idea in the first place is somewhat baffling. Remember that the evidence in place will point to what actually happened. Should you be concerned, take a photo but keep it to yourself in case it required later to be used as supporting evidence in court.

Additionally, there are cases where police officers arriving at the scene may make an arrest based on the assumption that the crime scene was altered by the victims despite there not being efficient evidence to support this at the time.

Evidence after the crime

Another mistake victims make is to take photos of the suspects and spread this over social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter. Such actions can be construed as active interference as people are not familiar with the investigation process and this can actually have very serious consequences.

Surprisingly enough, even responding parties including security companies and patrolling officers make very similar mistakes by asking victims to identify suspects through a photo taken at the site, either during or after the incident. These images may even be sent via WhatsApp or MMS to the victim once the suspect has been arrested.

This is not the correct protocol and the criminals should be pointed out in an organised and official identity parade with strict adherence to certain rules. Once again, this can result in injustice and the criminal can use this as a means to avoid prosecution. Furthermore, it raises a point of concern in the fact that the correct procedures are not followed from the get-go.

In closing, the Security Risk Assessment will assist you in protecting your family and loved ones by warning you in advance of encroaching danger. A good security system, based on research and as designed by an independent assessor who has investigated and extensively assessed your property in various layers, will alert you on the onset of a security breach, will allow you and your loved ones to get to safety and inform your armed response company that assistance is required.

Additionally, you can prevent yourself from falling even deeper into a nightmarish abyss should you injure or kill an attacker while defending what is yours by providing supporting evidence of how events took place.

If you disagree or would like to learn more, contact Andre Mundell at Alwinco, +27 (0)62 341 3419, [email protected], www.alwinco.co.za.

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