Abstract
The investigation of crimes like serial murder and serial rape requires both experience and proficient detective work. It also requires specialist knowledge to identify the psychological and criminological elements of a serial offence. Within the SAPS, there is a specialist unit that deals with psychologically motivated crimes – the Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU). This article draws attention to the contribution the unit makes to the investigation and prosecution of serial crimes in South Africa.
Highlights
It is these types of crime that detectives from the South African Police Service (SAPS) are tasked to investigate
When a pattern of offences emerges that suggests the involvement of a serial offender, the complexity of the investigation necessitates the involvement of another component of the SAPS, the Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU)
It was later moved to the Detective Service, but since June 2008 the IPU has been situated in the division Criminal Record and Forensic Science Service (CRFSS)
Summary
The investigation of crimes like serial murder and serial rape requires both experience and proficient detective work. It requires specialist knowledge to identify the psychological and criminological elements of a serial offence. Rape, and robbery traumatise victims and have a long lasting effect on their lives. It is these types of crime that detectives from the South African Police Service (SAPS) are tasked to investigate. When a pattern of offences emerges that suggests the involvement of a serial offender, the complexity of the investigation necessitates the involvement of another component of the SAPS, the Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU)
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