Crime scene investigator
Crime scene is a place where an illegal act done by the perpetrator and it is the area
from where the investigation officers and forensic experts lifted the potential and
physical evidences . The failure or success to link the perpetrator with the crime
entirely depends upon the handling of crime scene and if not handled correctly or
fully exploited , the vital clues lost and not recovered. Its the duty of the
crime scene investigator to use scientific approach at the crime scene .
The First step of crime investigation start as the first responder usually a police
officer reached the crime scene and its the responsibility of the first responder
(policeman) to secure the crime scene . The purpose of securing the crime scene
is to restrict and prevent destruction of evidence. The initial responding officer
should provide a detailed crime scene briefing to the crime scene investigator.
He retained at the crime scene until he relived from duty.
From this point the role of crime scene investigator starts .
Role of crime scene investigator - A timely approach to crime scene is always
needed, otherwise the evidences may be destroyed by the friends, relatives and
by the neighbor's. The media persons , weather and the police personnel also added
contamination of evidence .
After reaching on time the crime scene investigator first approach the victim
for sign of life , call medical facilities if needed , attempt to obtain dying declaration
and after arrival of medical team note their name , unit , phone numbers etc ,
secondly a through and legal search of the crime scene and secured the crime scene.
Some methods include -
i) By placing of guards/constables at the entrance or exit or wherever necessary.
ii) By placing of ropes or printed crime scene tape and by applying some barriers.
iii) Frequently used the markers , signs or using the flags for the way or naming articles etc
iv) Make a safe and common approach path for walking.
v) Locking of rooms are also effective . If its outside on road or park making arrangement to save the crime scene from weather conditions like rain ,wind etc.
vi) Removed all unwanted persons. Control the flow and saw that animals could not reached to the crime scene.
vii) The investigator officer also looked that no extra information leak to the media.
viii) Witnesses and suspects must be secure and separate.
ix) Must looked to the conditions of the crime scene like lights on or off , positions of doors and windows , any smell or odour.
x) Documentation of crime scene , sketching and photography of the crime scene , injured persons and vehicle.
xi) Requested for other investigated resources such as forensic experts as per requirement. Keep records of all forensic persons who has access to crime scene.
crime scene investigator always looked for some questions that include
Who ?
What ?
When ?
Where ?
How ?
and why ?
He must find out the entry and exit of the criminal at the crime scene.
He must established that how the culprit or victim reached at the scene of crime.
What's the modus operandi of the case , it must be known to him .
He also looked down to the possibility that the crime scene is actual or created like that by someone.
Is any tempering has been done to the crime scene ?
Is anything missing from the crime scene ?
Whether the dead body transported to the crime scene ?
Is there any sign of struggle ?
What type of injuries seen on the victim body .
Type of weapon used at the crime scene .
Samples should be collected by trained staff and the clothing , bags , paper envelopes , boxes , bottles etc made available to them. Materials transported in that way that it will not be contaminate. Never use the bathroom, , toilets and other utilities belonging to the crime scene. Properly maintain the chain of custody.
Crime scene examination is always a demanding task and it needs physical and mental stamina.
Protection of crime scene , collection , preservation , packaging , sealing and dispatch of physical evidence is to be done by the crime scene investigator and his team.
MR. DEEPAK PAWAR has been working as Finger Print Expert / Police Officer in Finger Print Bureau , Delhi Police at New Delhi since 2001 . He is the senior most Finger Print Expert , attending / visited several scene of crime and solved many crime cases .He has passed M.Sc (Chemistry) and he is the Member of International Association of Identification . He is the Member of Delhi Police welfare association . He is supervising the Forensic , New Delhi District , Mobile Crime Team . He is one of the Expert in the Special Investigation Team held for investigation of important cases . He has been giving fingerprint proficient training to Delhi Police personnel's . He has been Presented / giving lectures on topics related to forensic science . He is also making examination paper of Finger Print proficient course . He is awarded with Police Medal by MHA and Delhi Police.