NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES
September/ October 2016 Academic Session

CSS452: VICTIMS OF CRIMES AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

Time Allowed: 2 hours Credit unit: 3
Instructions: Attempt questions one and two others.
1a. what is crime? 5marks
b. Mention and discuss the Elements of crime. 10marks

i. The Actus Reus

ii. Mens Rea

i. The Actus Reus: It is a well known fact that as long as a

"conduct" rest in intention alone, it is not punishable as a
crime, for only God knows the evil machinations of
individuals.

ii. Mens Rea: Before the 13th century in Britain a person who
produced a prohibited consequences ie. the actus reus, was
held liable with no enquiry made as to whether his mind was
blameworthy.

c. Explain the legal and sociological definitions of crime.15

marks
i. From the sociological point of view, a crime is seen as an
"antisocial" behaviour and encompasses in its preview many
acts the conventional lawyer may not regard as anything
more than minor deviation behaviours; and

ii. From the legal approach, crime is treated or defined as

essentially a legal concept and therefore best understood by
reference to law.
 2. List and explain five treatments of victims in the criminal justice
Administration. 20 marks
i. Victims Right before Trial
ii. Victims Right during Trial
iii. Victims Rights at Sentencing
iv. The Constitutionalisation of Victim’s Rights
v. International Standards Regarding Victims

i. Victims Rights before Trial: Charges in the criminal justice

process on behalf of the victim at the pretrial stage include the
establishment of requirements that victims receive protection and
assistance; that they be informed of their rights; that they have
alternatives to the criminal justice system; and that any necessary
participation in it be less onerous and more meaningful.

ii. Victims Rights during the Trial: Another set of changes in the
criminal justice process affects the victim during the trial.

iii. Victims Rights at Sentencing: Another change in the criminal

justice process affects victims during the sentencing of the
convicted offender. There is the need to inform victims of any
contemplated plea agreement, so that they can inform the
prosecutor of their views and be present and hear when the judge
considers the prosecutor’s recommendation.

iv. The Constitutionalization of Victim’s Rights: The Victims bills

of right which appear to grant extensive rights to victims in the
criminal justice process in the U.S. look deceptive.

v. International Standards Regarding Victim: Although the

discussion above has been on the developments in the U.S.A., the
movement for improvement of the situation of the victim of crime
has made important advances in many Countries, Nigeria is not an
exception.

3. Mention and discuss four tools of crime investigation in law

enforcement agencies. 20 marks
This includes trained personnel, scientific aids, interrogation tools and information
data, to mention but a few.
 (A) Trained Personnel: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of
every police jurisdiction is a special department that requires personnel,
whose intelligence and mental alertness must be a function of their
education and professional training, considering the increasing challenges
posed by science and technology, particularly in the area of information
technology, law and psychology.
(B) Scientific /Technical Aids: The modern police largely require other
technical or scientific methods such as identification by means of
fingerprint, the analysis of stains and the microscopic examination of
materials connected with crime and photographs to assist him in criminal
investigation.
(C) Interrogation Techniques: Interrogation techniques remains one of the
most valuable tools by which detectives skillfully question unwilling
witnesses and suspects to obtain an anticipated reply. It is a prerequisite for
professionalism in the act of criminal investigation. Successful application
of interrogation technique yield results that are often viewed with magical
suspicion by those who do not understand the working system.

4A. what is organized Crime?

B. list and discuss two types of organized crimes.20marks

5 a. what do you understand by the term ‘’Criminal Investigation’’5marks

Criminal investigation comprises those incidental acts of law enforcement
officers arising from the statutory duties imposed in them, particularly, as it
relates to the prevention and detention of crime.

b. Briefly discuss the Stages of Criminal Investigation 15 marks.

SOLUTION
i. Scene of Crime Management: The scene of crime is the location or place
where the criminal act, real or imaginary took place. This is where the
foundation for the success or failure of the investigation is laid.

ii. Information Gathering: Whenever crime is committed with or without a

clue, detectives at the scene of crime must simultaneously gather
information from inmates, neighbors and other members of the public who
may have knowledge of the crime, but may or may not be involved or
incriminated.

iii. Arrest and Identification of Suspects: The arrest and identification of a

criminal suspect is one of the major objectives of criminal investigation.
However, what constitutes a successful investigation depends on various
perceptions.