ABSTRACT
In early tribal and clan life, the people performed the police task. When behavior occurred that violated the rules of the clan, all members were responsible for identifying the violator and determining the means and degree of sanctions to be imposed. is was known as kin policing. e process was ožen swiž, certain, and absolute. O¡enses considered serious usually resulted in torture, banishment, or death. Lesser o¡enses led to ¯aying or a similar corporal punishment or giving property to the o¡ended family as atonement for the transgression. To prevent future violations and identify the o¡ender, it was not uncommon for the tribe to brand or mutilate the culprit.
