The Roll of Forensic Scientist in Detection of Crime

 

Forensic Science can be defined as criminalistic science. In other words the scientific studies or investigation of crime can be termed as Forensic Science. Along with the development of science and technology the pattern of our society has also changed to cope with the day to day development. According the criminal also often uses different techniques for commission of various crimes within our society. So it has become a problem for the law enforcing agencies to check the potentiality of crimes. For such checking the need of forensic science becomes an essential prerequisite on the part of the investigative agencies.

Considering the necessity and importance of forensic science, Govt. of India has established a few forensic science in the different parts of our country. Similarly the Govt. of various states have also established some forensic science laboratories. In the same spirit, the Govt. of Assam have also established a forensic science laboratory at Guwahati.

Forensic Science Laboratory, Assam is a scientific institution under the Police Department established in the year 1967. This laboratory has been established in the pattern of an ideal forensic science laboratory, comprising eight important branches of science like Chemistry, Physics, Biology,Serology, Ballastics, Toxicology, Question Documents and Photography.

The operation of forensic science is nothing but the application of techniques and methods of basic science techniques and methods of basic science for various analysis of exhibits associated with crimes. Since its beginning the scientists of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Assam have been rendering invaluable service to the investigating agencies in various ways for the cause of justice.

The scientific examination of a forensic scientist adjoins a missing link or strengthens a weakly in the chain of investigation by furnishing an impartial and establish evidence, thereby helping the court to come to a conclusion regarding the criminals and their punishments. The field of study or examination of forensic scientist is very wide, diversible and unpredictable. Generally the duties and responsibilities of forensic scientist are very hazardous, onerous and risk bearing. Because they are to deal with the material exhibits pertaining to various nature of crimes such as murder, rape, blood, saliva, firearms, ammunitions, explosives, and explosives substances, liquor, hashish, opium, adulterated petrol, kerosene, diesel, etc. and other chemical vehicles involved in accidents, various types of paints. Weapons used in burglary, arson, etc. different types of poisons and poisons and poisonous substances, hair, skeletal remains and other plant or animal remnants. Apart from these, forensic scientists are also to examine the forged signatures and documents along with the photographic analysis of all materials exhibits. Any material exhibit encountered in the way of investigation needs to be thoroughly examined to prove or disprove its association a particular crime or criminal. Practically the forensic scientist are to examine the material exhibits connected with various nature of crimes covering all sections of I. P. C. and other relevant acts and laws of the land. Unlike other research and analytical materials, forensic scientists are required to work with limited quantity and amount of materials generally left behind or carried away by criminals.

For better collection of exhibits for various range of studies, forensic scientist are often summoned to the scene of crime so as to assist the investigation agencies in determining clue by means of scientific analysis.

So far I have discussed about the duties and roll of forensic scientists as a whole and in general. Now I will discuss about the roll and nature of forensic scientist of different branches in connection with their respective and specialised field of work.

Let us discuss first about the forensic physicist. Generally the material exhibits which are obtained at the scene of crime are examined by the scientist of this division. Besides comparative studies of various impressions and marks of tools etc. used in commission of crime are also made in this division. Determination of forced engine or chassis marks or restoration of an erased number upon metallic dates are also determined by the scientist of this division. Analysis of paints and glass articles, stamp impressions of forest authorities can be examined by these scientists to establish the facts for the determination of clues of commission of crimes and criminals.

Secondly the scientist of forensic chemistry are also equally busy determining clues of crime and detection of criminals by their various methods of analysis. For instance it is the forensic chemist who has to determine purity of petrol, diesel and kerosene from samples. They are also to determine the quality of liquor, opium, ganja and other chemicals, analysis of explosive and the like. From their various methods of analysis, they have to establish facts basing upon which the investigating officers can detect the clues of a particular crime.

Forensic biologists have also been playing an important role in examining biological exhibits oriented with crime. It is the biologist who has to analyze the biologist material exhibit starting from a micro organism to a higher plant or an animal and also their parts and products. From the skeletal remains, a biologist has to determine the sex, origin, stature, and age of the deceased. He is to identify from the skull by using superimposition method and thereby help the investigating authority in coming to a conclusion with the regard to a particular crime. In case of a suspected death case, the biologist is to ascertain the cause of death. He is also to analyze various poisonous plant material in cases where plant poison is administered in the commission of crimes.

A Serologist plays equally important role in establishing facts in respect of various crimes. In case of a murder where knife and other weapons are involved, it is the serologist who is to ascertain whether the particular weapon is stained with human blood or not. Form the findings of a serologist, the investigating officer can get a definite clue in a particular case, depending on which the investigating officer can identify the culprit of the crime. It is the serologist who has to establish the facts of disputed paternity cases by testing the blood group in question.

Now, coming to the ballastics branch of forensic science it may be stated that a ballastic expert is the only person who ascertains whether a particular fire arm was used or not while commiting a crime. He is also to examine the types of fire arms and ammunitions used in commission of a crime. He has also to establish the facts with regard to firing ranges , distance, direction, and angle of firing. After obtaining the opinion of a ballastic expert the investigating officers can come to a reasonable conclusion in respect of a particular crime. Apart from the different fire arms and ammunitions a ballastic expert is also to examine the explosive substance which are nowadays very often used for commiting heinous crimes.

A toxicologist determines the clues of the crime in which poison is used. In any such case, be it accidental suicidal or intentional, a toxicologist analyses the viscera and other relevant materials from which he establishes the quality and quantity of poison used. From the report of a toxicologist, the investigating officer can usually obtain vital clues for detecting the criminals involved. Similarly, the Court also gets positive evidence for coming to a conclusion in any particular case.

A document expert examines the various types of documents directly or indirectly involved in a forgery case. The forgery cases may be of different types, but all these are examined by the handwriting expert. From the report of a document examiner, the investigating agency can definitely detect the real culprit of a particular case. Apart from the forged signatures or documents, a handwriting expert often gives opinion on typed papers, time of writing and the age of the ink used for writing a questionable documents. So the opinion of a handwriting expert also helps the court to a conclusion in meeting the ends of justice.

Like all others branches of science, personnel of the photography division also play a vital role in determining clues of crimes and detecting the criminals. It is the forensic photographer who establishes the connecting link of various clues of a crime by their Photographic evidence. In case of a crime where the facts of erasure is involved, it is only the photographic evidence by which the facts of erasement ca be established with any degree of precision. Thereby they are also helping the courts to come to a definitive opinion with regard to the case.

From the above discussion it can be concluded that the forensic scientist by the vary nature of his work is duty bound for the establishment of justice for the society. As a matter of fact forensic scientists are playing a vital role in reducing the potentiality of crime and also in determining the root causes of crime in our society.

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