https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136709 2026-04-12T18:59:55Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145378 Title: The importance of due diligence procedures on sole traders in local banks Abstract: Sole traders have a relatively less restricted internal system than bigger organizations, which makes them more susceptible to oversight and financial scrutiny. The objective of this research is to explain the need for due diligence procedures on sole traders. Due diligence is perhaps one of the most commonly applied legal requirements, yet its implementation and consequences on small self-employed business owners is often neglected. This study aims to fill that gap and hopes to show how such practices affect the sustainability and credibility of sole traders as well as to the financial wellbeing of the bank. A qualitative method of data collection was used for this study. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals from local banks and regulatory bodies. Thematic analysis of these interviews showed specific patterns regarding the application of due diligence and the challenges encountered in working with sole traders. Due diligence, even when providing greater clarity of risks and ensuring prudent management, appears to hinder sole traders who lack formal documents and basic financial understanding. Custom-tailored due-diligence methodologies can increase inclusive corporate registration and compliant governance structures, as suggested by the study's findings. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145288 Title: Money laundering in the football industry through the transfer market Abstract: This dissertation explores the implementation and efficacy of AML regulations within the context of football player transfers in Malta. With increasing global attention on the financial integrity of the sports industry, this research investigates how Maltese football clubs and authorities adhere to AML requirements and the challenges they face in ensuring compliance. Opposed to the majority of the research conducted within the criminological framework, this study utilises a qualitative research approach, with semi-structured interviews conducted with key stakeholders, including regulatory officials and club representatives. The results indicate that while a foundational understanding of AML principles exists, there is a lack of uniformity in implementation, insufficient training, and limited proactive efforts to mitigate money laundering risks. The study concludes by recommending targeted policy changes, improved educational initiatives, and stronger collaboration between clubs and national regulatory bodies. These insights aim to contribute to the development of a more robust AML framework tailored to the specific needs of the football industry in Malta. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141233 Title: Perspectives on 3D scanning and reconstruction : implications for crime scene investigations and courtroom evidence Abstract: This dissertation explores the integration of three-dimensional scanning technologies, specifically LiDAR and photogrammetry, within forensic investigations and courtroom procedures in Malta. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with four main stakeholders from the criminology and legal sectors, the study uncovers the transformative and innovative potential of 3D modeling, enhancing crime scene documentation, evidence study and courtroom presentation. Participants identified the immersive nature of such technologies as incredibly valuable for jurors enhanced comprehension and preserving environments and pieces of evidence over time. However, in the course of the research several challenges and drawbacks were also presented during the research; for example concerns over technical reliability, high implementation and maintenance costs, technical or environmental limitations and susceptibility to bias and interpretation. Additionally, institutional barriers, such as insufficient infrastructure or unequipped courts, absence of standardised protocols and cultural resistance, pose significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of 3D technology in courts of law. Despite these limitations, stakeholders expressed strong support and positive experiences, emphasising the need of regulatory standards and adequate institutional development. Findings suggested that while 3D scanning holds a great potential to revolutionise forensic practices, its success inevitably depends on institutional support and legal clarity. The research concludes by recommending actions for future action, including the development of national guidelines, investment in courtroom spaces and technologies and broader interdisciplinary studies on the topic to support the implementation of these tools within the criminal justice system. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141232 Title: Eliciting confessions : an exploration of various interrogating techniques adopted by the Malta Police Force Abstract: This study explores how police interrogation practices are applied in Malta, incorporating legal perspectives from a criminal attorney. It examines whether current methods align with ethical, legal, and evidence-based standards, particularly in the absence of a nationally standardised framework for suspect interviewing. Prompted by ongoing debates around coercion and the risk of false confessions, the research assesses the practical application and underlying rationale of current investigative interviewing strategies. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with four police inspectors and one criminal attorney. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns in participant responses, which were then critically examined in the existing literature on ethical interviewing, with particular reference to the PEACE model. Preliminary insights suggest that while participants supported ethical principles and legal safeguards, practices were often influenced by operational pressures and personal experience. The PEACE model was widely valued but inconsistently applied, with greater emphasis on rapport-building and evidence disclosure than on post-interview evaluation. The criminal attorney offered key reflections on procedural gaps and the need for greater oversight. The study indicates a general commitment to ethical interviewing in principle, though its implementation remains uneven. The absence of a unified national framework may contribute to procedural inconsistency. The findings point to the need for structured training, clearer policy, and formal oversight to promote consistent and ethical interviewing practices in Malta. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z