Physical Evidence
Physical evidence found at crime scene are classified as -
Fixed evidence - The physical evidence which can not be removed
from crime scene. Ex are fingerprints , footprints on mud or dust etc.
Movable evidences - Fiber , bullet , soil , hair etc are movable
physical evidence found at crime scene .
These evidences were packed to prevented them from contamination .
These evidences has been presented at court of law and improper packaging
resulted in decrease of evidences value.There are some basic requirements
for packaging of physical evidence .
How to package physical evidence......
1) Always collect and forward appropriate sample evidences.
2) Always remembered tagging or markings of collected evidences.
3) The labeling , sign and seal will be done on all envelopes or on the packages.
4) Items or articles not connected with case not to be packed or send for examination.
5) physical evidence always packed separately to avoid contamination.
6) Always saw that the containers , card board boxes , wrapping papers etc were clean and dry.
7) If the article is perishable or it is fragile then it must be written on the package for its proper
handling and transportation.
8) For corrosive or caustic substances used glass bottles having glass lids.
9) For placing of small evidences to containers use tweezers and forceps .
10) If small traces are presents on any item and there is a possibility of vanishing then send the whole item to the laboratory.
Now discuss the physical evidence one by one.....
Blood - when it present on absorbent articles then cut the stained part , dry it in shadow and packed in clean paper. Packed all samples separately.
When blood present on non - absorbent objects -
For dry blood in small amount , use a cotton thread , moist it and rub against the stain. When present in large amount then scrape it and placed in plastic container. If blood is wet then for large amount suck up with a pipette and packed. For small amount use cotton thread.when blood stains found on the body then use filter paper , cotton or a cloth .Moistened them with normal saline and packed in paper envelopes.
Firearms - Handled the firearms with precautions like never fire the firearms and it should be unloaded before submitting to laboratory. Wrap them with tissue paper and packed in a plastic bag. Don't try to mark on firearms . Always label the containers. Live cartridges , bullets etc always packed in a small plastic bag(each one separately packed).
Seminal stains - use paper bag or paper envelopes for packaging.
Saliva - use plastic container for packaging.
Botanical materials - use paper bag and card boards for packaging .
Fingerprints - Use thermocol box or plywood board box for flat objects having fingerprints. If the object is not flat then strongly tight it between two boards by string or use any wire. For footprints , shoe prints and Tyre marks made a cast with Plaster of Paris and packed in a card board box with thick layers of cotton
Hair - always use paper for storage and packed in a paper envelopes or in plastic bag.
Cloths - First dry it then separate the trace material if exist and packed in a paper envelope .large items like bed sheets must be folded to minimum. Protect the area of cloth which have trace evidence.
Documents - Never fold or bend the document , placed it between card boards and packed in an envelope or plastic bag.
Glass - First collect the fragments of the glass and packed in plastic phials. Card boards used for large pieces of glass.
Paint - Use paper or plastic envelope for packaging .
Soil and dust - Packed in plastic containers.
Fire debris - Packed in PVC bags. Materials having smell of inflammable packed in air tight plastic bag.
Petroleum etc - Liquids are packed in a air tight plastic containers so no leakage has been occurred .
Before submitting the packed items to laboratory it is necessary to checked that all have proper markings and labeling and checked the seal of all containers , envelopes etc.
Physical evidence are very necessary for investigation and progress of case in a proper direction. physical evidence link the crime to the perpetrator so there locating ,collection preservation and packing is essential part of a crime scene investigation.
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.