Referred to as: investigating officers · Investigating Officers
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Investigating Officers cannot take samples; sampling is done at the lab by trained analysts.
“Investigating Officers cannot take samples . That is what I know. Because sampling itself is done at the lab by trained analysts.”
Investigating Officers bring all seized items from suspects to the lab; it never happened that Investigating Officers bring only samples.
“Investigating Officers bring everything to the lab . What they found from the suspect, they bring it to the lab . It never occurred that an Investigating Officer will bring a sample that I know of .”
Investigating Officers would have to state if what they bring is a sample rather than the whole exhibit, but in practice this never happens.
“He would have to tell you that there is more . So, what he has brought to you is just a sample of exhibits . So, if he was bringing samples of 41 kgs of suspected Cocaine, he would say to you, this is just a sample ? But what you are saying is he would never do that because it never happens .”
Investigating Officers do not bring samples only; they bring entire exhibits except for cannabis and cat, where sampling can be done according to National Instructions.
“I think even the National Instructions stated that they can only do sampling in Cannabis and Cat only. So, exhibits, because the National Instructions stated that all exhibits, so, which means Cocaine, Heroin, Mandrax, all of the other drugs that are not plants, they must bring everything to the lab .”
Forensic Science Laboratory staff are not allowed to guide Investigating Officers on sampling at the scene.
“are you allowed to go out and guide Investigating Officers on sampling? No, we are not allowed to guide Investigating Officers on sampling.”
Investigating officers have exclusive control over their docket, and complaints against police investigation progress may be lodged and escalated within the police command structure.
“The investigating officers signed for the docket... From that moment, the IO becomes the sole custodian and possessor of that particular docket... The docket is under the IO's exclusive control... The complaint will then be registered with the commander at the CSC and then the complaint file will then be booked to a commission officer to investigate the complaint against the police... The commander may call the IO to account and may escalate the matter to a higher level if necessary. Complaints can be escalated to the District Commissioners, the Provincial...”
Brigadier Nkhwashu explains that a task team usually has several investigating officers assigned to dockets and may reassign dockets after assessing progress, implying that oversight by General Khumalo would not halt all other investigations.
“usually when a task team is formed to give attention to these cases, they have a number of investigating officers... they may return the docket with instructions... it does not take time on other matters”