In 2024, South Africa ranked first in the crime index among African countries, with a score of **** index points. Nigeria was the second most dangerous country on the continent, obtaining **** points. The index evaluates the overall crime levels in a specific country. Several African countries scored between ** and ** points, indicating high crime levels. Escalating concerns: South Africans worry about crime and violence In 2024, South Africa had one of the highest proportions of respondents expressing concerns about crime and violence compared to other countries participating in an online study. Throughout the period examined, the percentage of participants worried about violence peaked at ** percent in March 2023. The escalating levels of violent crime currently witnessed in the country has caused this significant rise in concerned respondents. South Africa's organized crime landscape In 2023, South Africa ranked the ************* in organized crime compared to its African counterparts. The continent's most prevalent organized criminal activity was **************************************. Moreover, from a regional perspective, Southern African countries had the lowest organized crime rate.

In 2024, South Africa had a crime index of 75.4, which is to be considered high. However, this was one of the lowest indexes recorded in the country since 2017. Over the observed period, the value continuously fluctuated between 75 and 77. South Africa has the highest crime index in Africa and ranks as the fifth most dangerous country globally according to the same index.

In 2024, Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) ranked first in the crime index among African cities, with a rating of roughly ** index points. The six most dangerous areas on the continent were South African cities. The index estimates the overall level of crime in a specific territory. According to the score, crime levels are classified as very high (over 80), high (60-80), moderate (40-60), low (20-40), and very low (below 20). South Africa’s crime situation According to the crime index ranking, ************ was the most dangerous country in Africa in 2023, followed by ***************** and ******. Murder and organized crime are particularly widespread in South Africa. In 2023, the country had one of the highest murder rates globally, registering around ** homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, South Africa’s crime scene is also characterized by the presence of organized criminal activities, for which the country ranked third in Africa. Reflecting these high levels of crime, a survey conducted in 2023 showed that around ** percent of South Africans were worried about crime and violence in the country. Crime risks in Africa The African continent hosts some of the most dangerous places worldwide. In 2023, *********** and the ******************************** were the least peaceful countries in Africa, according to the Global Peace Index. Worldwide, they ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria. Terrorism is a leading type of crime perpetrated in Africa. Home to Boko Aram, Nigeria is among the countries with the highest number of terrorism-related deaths globally. Furthermore, Burkina Faso had the highest number of fatalities in the world. Human trafficking is also widespread, predominantly in West Africa. The most common forms of exploitation of victims of trafficking in persons are forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Suburb-based crime statistics for crimes against the person and crimes against property. The Crime statistics datasets contain all offences against the person and property that were reported to police in that respective financial year. The Family and Domestic Abuse-related offences datasets are a subset of this, in that a separate file is presented for these offences that were flagged as being of a family and domestic abuse nature for that financial year. Consequently the two files for the same financial year must not be added together.

According to the organized crime index, fauna crimes were the most common type of criminal market in Southern Africa in 2023, obtaining **** index points. Financial crimes and trade in heroin followed as the main types of crime in the region, with scores of **** points and **** points, respectively. Overall, Southern Africa had the lowest level of criminality on the continent as of 2023.

Stock theft is a persistent and widespread problem affecting farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to explore farmers’ perceptions of stock theft in the region. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data. 192 pre-tested questionnaires were collected from a sample of farmers in three districts in the province. The descriptive and chi-square test was used to test the associations between demographic profile statistically, knowledge of stock theft, reported stock theft cases, the economic impact of stock theft, and stock theft control. According to the findings, stock theft is significantly more likely to occur during the winter season (P < 0.05). About 94.8% of farmers are in the communal farming sector in the three districts visited. Furthermore, 81.2% of the respondents believe that the government needs to do more to combat the spread of stock theft. This study also revealed that most respondents (88.6%) agree that branding and tattooing should be made available to all registered farmers, while 53.1% believe that forensic deoxyribonucleic acid should not be used to control stock theft at crime scenes. This study highlights farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of stock theft to enable policymakers to develop targeted interventions and strategies. Policing strategy must be adaptive and technology-driven to fast-track detection, prevention, and reduction of stuck theft crime.

The average for 2017 based on 79 countries was 105 robberies per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Costa Rica: 1587 robberies per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Oman: 1 robberies per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

According to cognitive market research, the global forensic equipment and supplies market size was valued at USD xx billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD xx billion at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period.

Forensic equipment and supplies refer to the tools, instruments, and materials used by forensic investigators and scientists to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence at a crime scene.
North America now holds a dominant market share due to the existence of large manufacturers, technological improvements, and government programs aimed at improving forensic services.
Europe is the second-largest market for forensic equipment and supplies, with a significant demand from government forensic laboratories and research facilities.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth in the forensic equipment and supplies market because of the rising need for forensic services and the increased attention being paid to forensic infrastructure development.
With a spectacular CAGR rise over the projection period, the Middle East and Africa also play significant roles in the worldwide market.

Market Dynamics of the Forensic Equipment and Supplies Market

Key Drivers of the Forensic Equipment and Supplies Market

The rising crime rate across the globe is a major driver of the market. 

Criminal activity is evolving into increasingly complex and elusive forms of expression. The number of crimes has dramatically grown, including killings, financial fraud, data theft, cybersecurity breaches, piracy, and theft and burglaries. New-generation forensic tools and supplies must be used to speed up investigations due to the evolving nature of crime, the growing burden on law enforcement agencies, and the complexity of crime. As a result, to effectively handle the increasing burden, governments everywhere are extending their forensic units. This in turn fuels the need for various forensic tools and materials. Demands for government action to combat crime were more common in nations where crime rates had increased. Respondents in nations like South Africa and Turkey believe that there has been an increase in crime in the last year, but they do not think that government action on the matter should be prioritized. These are often nations that are experiencing persistent economic problems, such as South Africa's high unemployment rate, and Turkey's extreme inflation. • For instance, On November 21, 2022, the US Department of Justice (DoJ)’s Office of Justice Programs announced almost USD 160 million in funding to support crime investigation laboratories, fund forensics research, reduce DNA backlogs, and aid investigators in locating missing persons and recognizing the remains of humans.

Rising acceptance of DNA profiling in criminology will propel the market growth

DNA samples taken at the scene of the crime aid in the precise and speedy investigation of crimes. The market participants are being encouraged to commercialize DNA testing kits and improve their accessibility to international forensic entities through advancements in forensic science technology. The need for forensic tools and DNA collection is also anticipated to increase as more people become aware of the many benefits made possible by DNA profiling solutions. Furthermore, it is projected that the market's growth potential will be expanded by the increasing integration of cutting-edge technology and the surge in social investment in forensic sciences improvement. DNA may be used to identify possible criminals and link specific people to a crime by proving they were there at a particular site. The effectiveness of the criminal justice system is further enhanced by DNA profiling. An alpha-numeric value that is computed and shown as a result of the DNA analysis procedure is called a DNA profile. DNA analysis is an intelligence technique that may be used to identify, confirm, or remove a suspect in a criminal investigation. By comparing DNA profiles from different crime sites, it may also be used to identify victims of crime or disasters and to establish connections between crimes.

Restraints of the Forensic Equipment and Supplies Market

Lack of technical knowledge or technical professionals is restraining the market growth.

Even for those who have no experience with digital evidence or computer science, technology has to be easy t...

In FY 2022/2023, the township of Inanda in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa had the highest number of recorded sexual offenses, with *** reports. This accounts for less than *** percent of all sexual offense cases reported in South Africa during the observed period. The town of Lusikisiki followed, with *** cases recorded in the Eastern Cape province.

The average for 2017 based on 65 countries was 1.8 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Belgium: 10.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Bermuda: 0 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, Toyota was the most common brand of car that hijackers targeted in South Africa. Close to ** percent of all hijacked vehicles were reported as Toyota, followed by Volkswagen, which contributed around ** percent of all hijacking cases. These brands are also the most popular cars among South African motorists. In general, hijackers tend to target Toyota Hilux, Fortuner, and Etios ranges. Among the Volkswagen brand of motor vehicles, the VW Polo coupe, hatchback, and sedans are the most frequently stolen.   Carjacking incidences The number of carjackings in South Africa has made notable increases over the last few years, with the fiscal year 2023/2024 reaching a record high of almost ** thousand. Harare in the Western Cape had the highest incidences of carjackings in the country in the same fiscal year. Crime in South Africa According to the crime index ranking, South Africa was the most dangerous country in Africa in 2024. Globally, it has had one of the highest murder rates, registering around ** homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. A survey conducted in December in the same period showed that around ** percent of South Africans were worried about crime and violence as a result of the rising levels of violent crime in the country.

As of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, a total of ****** children in South Africa were reported as victims of a select few contact crimes. Around ** percent of these crimes committed against children were categorized under assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with ***** reports. Attempted murder followed, which contributed around ** percent to the summation of the selected contact crimes.

As of the 2022/2023 fiscal year, common assault was the most frequently reported form of domestic violence-related crimes among men and women, with ****** and ****** cases, respectively. Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm followed, whereby ****** women and ***** men were subjected to domestic violence. Domestic violence-related common assault accounted for around ** percent of the overall number of common assault reports in the same period.

In 2023, the most common type of corruption in South Africa was maladministration, accounting for ** percent of the total complaints received that year. Fraud and employment irregularities followed with ** percent and ** percent, respectively.

In 2025, Pietermaritzburg in South Africa ranked as the world's most dangerous city with a crime rate of 82 per 100,000 inhabitants. Five of the 10 cities with the highest crime rates worldwide are found in South Africa. The list does not include countries where war and conflict exist. South Africa dominates crime statistics When looking at crime rates, among the 10 most dangerous cities in the world, half of them are found in South Africa. The country is struggling with extremely high levels of inequality, and is struggling with high levels of crime and power outages, harming the country's economy and driving more people into unemployment and poverty. Crime in Latin America On the other hand, when looking at murder rates, Latin America dominates the list of the world's most dangerous countries. Violence in Latin America is caused in great part by drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and gang wars.

As of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, ****** women in South Africa were reported as victims of selected contact crimes. Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm had the highest number of incidences, with ****** cases. This accounts for approximately ** percent of the overall number of assaults GBH registered.

As of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the number of convictions in relation to the amount of cases was relatively high. However, when compared to the total number of contact crimes committed in the same period, sexual offense reports amounted to ******, but only ***** of these cases ended up in court, and just ***** of these cases resulted in a conviction.

As of the 2022/2023 fiscal year, close to 53,500 South Africans reported being a victim of a sexual crime. Of those, around 80 percent registered being raped, while close to 7,500 South Africans disclosed being sexually assaulted. In the last decade, the total number of sexual offenses peaked in the FY 2012/2013 at about 60,900 cases.

Kidnapping cases in South Africa have reached alarming levels, with a total of ****** incidents reported in 2023/2024. This represents an ** percent increase from the previous year, highlighting a growing concern for public safety across the nation. Gauteng province, home to major cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria, recorded the highest number of kidnappings at ***** cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with ***** cases.
Ransom and extortion drive kidnapping surge The rise in kidnappings appears to be driven by organized crime, with ransom-related abductions being the most common motive. In a select sample from the second quarter, *** kidnappings were linked to ransom demands, while ** cases were associated with extortion. This trend suggests a quarterly increase in kidnapping incidents, pointing to a persistent and evolving threat to public safety. The Moroka area in Gauteng province reported the highest number of kidnapping offenses, with nearly *** cases, followed by Orange Farms with over *** cases. The South African Police Services (SAPS) have reported that most cases were carried out during aggravated robberies such as hijackings and armed robberies at homes, businesses and public areas.
Regional context and broader implications South Africa's kidnapping rate of **** per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 was the highest among countries in Africa, surpassing Benin, which held the second-highest rate. This underscores the severity of the issue within the broader African context. The kidnapping crisis in South Africa occurs against a backdrop of wider regional instability, with countries in the Sahel like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso experiencing significant conflict exposure, affecting between ***** and ** percent of their populations. In this semi-arid region of west and north-central Africa, kidnappings are used as a strategic warfare tool and perpetrated for financial gain, which proved to be a lucrative method to help fund some of al-Qaeda affiliates located on the continent.

As of the 2021/2022 fiscal year, a total of ******* contact crime-related arrests were made in South Africa. Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm accounted for the majority of arrests, with ******* apprehensions. Common assault followed with ******* arrests.