Forensic Document Examination and Land Fraud Investigation at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
| dc.contributor.author | Wambugu, Susan | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-10T12:18:25Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-10T12:18:25Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-10 | |
| dc.description | A Research Project Submitted to the Department of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, in Partial Fulfillment for The Award of Master of Arts (Security Management And Police Studies) In The School Of Law, Arts And Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, October, 2024. Supervisor: 1.Gerald Mutonyi | |
| dc.description.abstract | Many countries around the world recognize the importance of forensic document examination for detecting and mitigating fraudulent documents. As a result, they have established forensic document examination facilities. However, some countries still lack the capacity to detect and analyze fraudulent documents, particularly in relation to land fraud investigations. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of forensic document examination expertise on land fraud investigation at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the tools used in forensic document examination to enhance land fraud investigations at the DCI headquarters; to assess the effects of forensic document examination on land fraud investigations; to identify the limitations of forensic document examination in influencing land fraud investigations; and to determine best practices for improving the impact of forensic document examination on land fraud investigations at the DCI headquarters. The study was guided by the fraud triangle theory and the routine activity theory. A case study research design was employed, using purposive sampling to identify suitable respondents and simple random sampling to select specific participants. A sample size of 64% of the target population was used. Data were collected through questionnaires and interview schedules from the selected respondents. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies. Quantitative data were presented using frequency distribution tables and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Both qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated to provide comprehensive insights into the key findings. The study's findings revealed that, magnifiers and microscopes, comparison devices, Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) lamp and electrostatic detection apparatus were the most used tools. From qualitative data the participants narrated that, the forensic document examinations increased confidence by both the victims and suspects in the land fraud investigation by the Police Service, speeded and fast-tracked land fraud investigation by the Police helped to increase the budget for procurement and adequate servicing of forensic tools for fraud investigation by the police service. However, despite valuable contributions forensic document examinations was limited in several ways that, include, corruption and malpractices may affect the results of evidence, emerging and evolving technologies used in document frauds, not adequate tools for use due to low government budget allocation and lastly, issues surrounding subjective interpretation. In relation to best practices, the study found well-equipped labs with serviceable equipment, adequate training and development for the forensic document examiners, accreditation by professional bodies and lastly, improved working conditions of the forensic document examiners. The study concluded, that forensic document examination is not driven by profit, it plays a crucial role in strengthening the government's ability to ensure document security and protect citizens' assets. Based on the findings, the study, recommended the department should be well funded by the government and other stakeholders so that it can be able to sustain and achieve its best practices. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29945 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Forensic Document Examination and Land Fraud Investigation at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |