Abstract

Background/Objectives: The integrity of firearm evidence is central to solving violent crimes and securing just court outcomes, yet the consistency of investigative practices across policing environments remains uncertain. This study examined the articulated understanding and reported practices related to firearm evidence among investigating officers, crime scene experts from the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and ballistics experts within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Materials and Methods: A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with 39 participants across the three groups. The study explored participants’ knowledge of firearm evidence, types of evidence found at murder crime scenes, procedures for evidence collection, and the concept of chain of custody. Data was analysed thematically to identify patterns and knowledge gaps. Results: The findings revealed considerable variation across groups in articulated knowledge and reported procedural awareness, with crime scene experts demonstrating stronger conceptual clarity, while investigating officers showed notable gaps in recognising trace elements and maintaining continuity of possession. Ballistics experts possessed technical expertise but limited familiarity with scene-level protocols. These disparities have the potential to pose risks to evidentiary integrity and evidentiary admissibility if reflected in practice. Conclusions: The findings suggest that enhancing shared understanding of firearm evidence handling through reinforced procedural guidance and professional development may support greater consistency at early investigative stages. These conclusions are grounded in participants’ articulated knowledge and reported procedural awareness derived from interview data, rather than observed investigative practice or case file compliance. Further research is required to assess how such interventions influence operational practice and to explore the potential role of digital tools in supporting chain-of-custody continuity.

IPC Classification

Keywords