Six Sigma of Crime Scene Management

Sharada Avadhanam AD [FS] APPA

Criminal profiles have drastically changed along with the technological revolution. This has resulted in paving the way for the criminal to remain more anonymous and geographically remote.

The evidence left at the scene is either scanty or transient or completely wanting. The role of forensic scientist has shifted from passive to active. Though the foundation of forensic science in criminal justice system is well established and appreciated by the judiciary, the optimum utility in criminal justice system is not taken advantage of by the police for various reasons.

The crime scene management is one of the very vital duties of the police officer, which is often a very highly neglected area. This encompasses three aspects viz: crime scene protection, recording and reconstruction.

The objectives of crime scene investigation:

- Ascertain the sequence of events

- Determine the mode of operation

- Uncover the motive

- Discover the property stolen

- Find out all that the criminal may have done

- Recover the physical evidence of the crime

Crime scene protection:

The overinquisitive attitude and inadvertent activities of many an officer in not taking enough precautions to protect the crime scene, in most of the cases is causing great damage to the case, not summoning the requisition of the forensic scientist, fingerprint expert to the crime scene is often the phenomena in case if they are called no where in the Case diary/GD a mention about the requisition is made wherein it casts doubts in the mind of the judiciary. The best way to avoid this is to clearly mention with exact time and date of the requisition and the activities undertaken by the summoned officer. The articles bearing the chance prints needed to be taken before mediators / panchas with proper signature to make it an admissible evidence in a court of law.

The important task of the first officer on the scene at the scene is to prevent the destruction of or diminution in value of the potential evidence that may lead to apprehension of criminal and ultimate resolution of the crime.

Most of the time the articles in crime scene are so badly handled that they invariably bear the fingerprints of either the inmates or that of the crime scene manager/ SHO. The IO himself many a times drops his own personal things in the form of spent cigarette butts/ stubs and handkerchiefs, which often mislead the case. The IO should never be in the habit of picking up whatever is available in the crime scene. He should learn to apply the criteria of evidence to the articles available in the crime scene. Those, which fit or fall within the ambit of the definition of evidence, only need to be picked up.

The IO should never take the role of a scientist, in lifting the articles which are ‘transient, fragile, and likely to lose’ evidence residing on the articles of crime that are relevant u/s 7 of IEA. if the integrity of the article or its original condition as seen in the crime scene is not proved by prosecution, all the efforts made by the IO may turn futile.

In case where there is absolute need to move certain evidence it should only be done after its proper recording ‘in situ’.

The same type of evidence occurring in different parts of the crime scene should separately be collected and recorded for eg: blood stains found in different places like kitchen, bedroom, and bath room need to be separately collected and specifically mentioned in notes.

Crime scene recording/ documentation:

This is done through notes, records, photos, diagram.

Photography, and/or videography:

Photography is a Pictorial communication of qualified witness. It is often observed that while taking the photographs of the dead body, the surrounding landmarks or the surroundings are not shown or focused with the result the defense doubts the place of the occurrence and placement of the dead body vis a vis the crime scene.

While taking the close photograph of a profusely bleeding dead body take it as it is and then another one is taken after thorough cleaning so that injuries can be shown clearly.

The impressions marks and injuries need to be photographed with a scale or ruler.

Photographs for identity purpose should focus the following.

A color photo of the injuries with Scars/ moles.

Two photographs at right angles to each other and the camera pointing down from the normal position of an observer.

In case of death by hanging—overall view of the dead body, the ligature mark at torso and foot level.

Photos to show the relative position of any object that appears to have been kicked.

Close up shots of knots location on neck.

In case of accidents involving vehicles their position, with respect to each other, their number and surrounding objects are important in fixing up their liability.

Scene of crime photos have to be proved in court of law by producing the person who had taken the photos and by getting his statement recorded.

- Name of the photographer and his address

- Date and time of each photograph

- Distance mentioned between the lens and the object and direction

- Point of reference in the crime scene/ focal point

- Technical information

- Type of light used

- Light and weather condition

- Aerial photographs – to illustrate out door crime scene.

Purpose of crime scene photo

- Help to convey an image of the crime scene and circumstances of the crime scene to the judge.

- All negatives from the crime scene photographs should be retained to show that the positive has not been altered or manipulated.

- Videotapes when used as evidence should not be edited or erased. The entire tape must be in its original condition.

Sketches:

Bird’s eye view sketch is the simplest and common.

A perspective drawing is another type of sketch that depicts a 3D drawing.

Computer programs have been used to depict trajectories in shooting scenes and to help reconstruction of crime scene.

Observation report: used to relate/record officers’ action at the scene

- Should be written in the presence of panchas

- Should correspond with photographs and sketches

- Should be brief covering relevant points

- Contemporaneous facts are invaluable

- The location and description of objects should be recorded before they are moved

- The extent of notes must be proportionate to the seriousness of the crime

- Complete and thorough

- Negative or unexpected conditions

- As specific as possible avoiding vague statements

Notes on crime scene should include

- Date and time of reporting

- Type and nature of crime

- Location and description of crime scene

- Compliant details

- Names of persons conducting the searches, photographers

- Weather and light conditions

- Identity of victim and description in detail

Reconstruction of crime scene:

Five steps in reconstruction

- Data collection: accumulation of all information

- Pieces of information should be reviewed and organized

- Conjecture: looking for several possible alternate explanations

- Hypothesis formulation: an educated guess to the probable course of events leading to the crime and activities thereafter like cover-up and destruction of evidence, disposal and escape

- Testing: further testing to confirm or disprove the overall interpretation,

- Theory formulation: all the verifiable investigative information

- Experimental results must be considered in testing and verifying the hypothesis and arriving at a theory

- Information developed through reconstruction can often lead to the successful resolution of a case.