Investigation of Selected Crimes and Transgressions (FOR3704) Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, legislation, and principles from FOR3704 study guide.

Forensic Investigation

An investigation process recognized as a science that combines natural sciences and human sciences, such as policing science and interviewing techniques, to solve crimes, incidents, irregularities, or transgressions.

Fraud

The unlawful and intentional misrepresentation of facts that causes actual loss or potential loss to another party.

Crimen Injuria

The unlawful, intentional, and serious impairment of the dignity or privacy of another person.

Locard Exchange Principle

A foundational principle of investigation asserting that whenever two objects come into contact, a cross-transfer of physical evidence occurs.

Identification

An investigation principle focused on identifying physical evidence or establishing specific physical characteristics of a person or object to guide an investigation.

Individualisation

A specific and later facet of identification that conclusively links physical evidence to a single, unique source, suspect, or crime scene.

Cybercrime

Any illegal activity where a computer, computer system, network, or electronic device is the object, target, instrument, or repository of evidence relating to a crime.

Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002

South African legislation enacted to regulate electronic data and combat computer crimes such as unauthorized access, data theft, hacking, and computer-related extortion.

Hacking

The act of illegally gaining access to a computer or computer system, often using software tools to bypass security and alter, steal, or destroy data.

Virus

A malicious computer program that infects a system and can slow it down, delete data, or render the computer unusable.

Worm

A self-replicating malicious program that spreads across computer networks and automatically e-mails itself to contacts on an infected system.

Trojan

A dangerous malicious program designed to secretly gather data from a computer or create a backdoor to grant unauthorized access to an outside user.

Logic Bomb

A malicious program installed on a computer system designed to trigger and destroy data when specific predetermined conditions or criteria are met.

Advance-Fee Scheme

A fraudulent scheme, such as a 419 scam, where victims are tricked into paying money upfront based on false promises of lucrative financial gains or services.

Phishing

A technique combining technological development and social engineering, using fake e-mails and websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive personal or financial information.

Skimming

The process of electronically copying genuine data from a payment card's magnetic strip without the legitimate cardholder's knowledge.

Organised Crime

Group activities involving three or more persons with hierarchical links or personal relationships that enable leaders to earn profits or control markets through violence, intimidation, or corruption.

Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998

South African legislation enacted to combat organised crime, criminal gang activities, racketeering, and money laundering, while providing for the recovery and forfeiture of criminal assets.

Asset Forfeiture Unit

A unit established in May 1999 within the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions to execute civil recovery, preservation, and forfeiture of criminal assets under Chapters 5 and 6 of POCA.

Racketeering

An offence involving an enterprise engaged in a continuous pattern of fraudulent or unlawful business activities, schemes, or practices.

Inchoate Crimes

Acts committed in anticipation of the commission of a principal crime, including conspiracy, attempt, or incitement.

Money Laundering

An activity that conceals or disguises the nature, source, location, disposition, or movement of the proceeds of unlawful activities to make criminal funds appear legitimate.

Placement

The initial stage of money laundering, involving the physical movement and deposit of cash derived from unlawful sources into financial institutions or businesses.

Layering

The second stage of money laundering, which separates criminal proceeds from their source through multiple complex financial transactions, account transfers, or conversions.

Integration

The final stage of money laundering, where previously laundered funds are reintroduced into the economy as apparently legal earnings or investments.

Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001

South African legislation enacted to fight financial crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion by creating the Financial Intelligence Centre and imposing reporting duties on businesses.

Financial Intelligence Centre

A statutory body under the National Treasury established to assist in identifying unlawful proceeds, processing financial disclosures, and combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

Accountable Institutions

Entities listed under Schedule 1 of FICA, such as attorneys, banks, brokers, and estate agents, that are legally required to fulfill compliance and reporting duties regarding suspicious financial transactions.