What is Homicide
The killing of one human by another is homicide. It’s a broad term including
the legal and illegal killings. Homicide divided into many categories as
including murder, manslaughter, killing in war, justifiable homicide such as
self-defense or otherwise, capital punishment and euthanasia, depending upon
the circumstances of the death.
Murder
Legal definition of Murder define it in various aspects such as Intentional killing,
Committed with malice aforethought one person killing another, Intentional
infliction causing bodily harm resulted in victim’s death, Behavior showing
extremely reckless disregard to life and which caused victim’s death, It is unlawful,
as not legally
justified.
Homicide v/s Murder?
Both the terms may be interchanged frequently but both have different definitions
in the eyes of the law. The different variations of both depend upon the cause,
morality and execution of the act and it’s usually
decided by a jury.
When one person kills another, it is homicide while murder is homicide when
it is done with intent (pre-planned).
Murder is categorized as first-degree murder and
second-degree murder.
First degree murder -Premeditated, intentional, unlawful killing of another person
is considered as first degree murder. First-degree murder penalties include life
imprisonment to 25 years in prison.
Second degree murder - Intentional, unlawful killing of another human being, but
without any premeditation or preconceived intention of killing. The conviction for
second-degree murder is up to 15 years to life imprisonment.
What is Manslaughter
When the person who committed the homicide did not have any intent to kill the
victim, or killed the victim as result of circumstances that would make him
emotionally or mentally disturbed to the point of potentially where he loosed
control of his actions is recognized as manslaughter (A form of
homicide).
The two categories of manslaughter are -
Voluntary manslaughter - Unpremeditated killing of person (Intentional) in a
disturbed state of mind, or heat of passion. Conviction for voluntary manslaughter
is up to 11 years in prison.
Involuntary manslaughter - Unintentional killing of person by another person
through an act of recklessness that involves the disregard for life of others.
It is committed without premeditation and without intent to kill, but resulted
in death of another person. Conviction for it include up to four years in prison.
Homicide cases are the heinous crime in our society. Homicide investigation needs
patience and flexibility. It is a teamwork venture and it requires careful and
systematically approaches. The investigation starts at the crime scene and
following points must be
considered in a violent crime -
When the crime has been committed.
The modus operandi of the crime.
Look out for the Point of enterence and exit to the
crime scene used by the culprit.
Weather it is a primary crime
scene or the deceased transported to the scene from some other place.
How many persons involved in the
crime. Presence of drinking glasses, cigarette, cups and presence of liquor bottles, drugs indicate other persons involvement.
Type of weapon used in the crime.
Number of injuries and nature of
injury or wounds found on the deceased body.(size, shape, location, condition)
Position of a wounded dead body.
(It indicates whether or not, the body was moved before being discovered)
Pattern and amount of blood on
and around the dead body. Condition of blood- wet, clotted or dry.(It indicates
time of incidence)
Note the presence of bloodstains
on the clothing of deceased.
Note the presence of any trace
material that is not usual to the crime scene.
Is any tempering done with the
crime scene to make it a case of suicide or accident?
Disturbed position of furniture, shoes and other household items indicate the fight and struggle of deceased.
Is any type of vehicle used by the accused?
Searching of hidden objects used
in the crime like firearm, knife, garments etc. always be made systematically.
Searching for fingerprints and
washed blood always be done in house, bathroom, kitchen, toilet, wash basins.
Doors, windows, trunks, etc. should be search for any physical evidence.
Walls, ceiling, windows,
ventilators inside and polls, trees should be observed for bullets, pellets or
dent marks in cases involving gun shots.
Possibility of finding
incriminating clues in ash trays, waste baskets, waste heaps or dumps is always
present.
While examine the Dead body in a homicide or murder case following points must be considered –
Sex, age, Physical appearance and other features of the deceased should be checked and noted carefully.
Photograph the whole crime scene and take the photograph of the dead body from all directions.
Rigor mortis stages indicate the time of incidence and help to determine if the deceased died at the site in the position as found.
Rigor mortis, maggot formation and decomposition stage all indicate the time of incidence.
Incised or lacerated injuries or wounds gives idea about the type of weapon used.
Hair, fiber, dust, soil and other foreign material found in the hand of the deceased provided valuable information about the accused.
If any trace evidence found on the clothing of deceased, it should be examined and packed separately.
Neck region of the deceased should be examined for the ligature mark and its position.
Dead body should be sent to the mortuary for a full postmortem examination in a homicide 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.