- Upon the arrival at the crime scene, an Investigator’s foremost and principal obligation is to ascertain, delineate, safeguard, and fortify the perimeters encompassing the site of the offence. The primary and paramount responsibility of the investigator is to fulfil their duties.
- Upon the investigator’s arrival, it becomes mandatory for them to promptly commence the careful procedure of documenting the intricate details surrounding the crime scene. This includes a comprehensive account of the prevailing conditions, as well as the collection of pertinent personal information pertaining to witnesses, victims, and suspects involved in the case.
- Evidence might consist of either a questioned sample or a Known sample. A sample under scrutiny, commonly referred to as an unknown sample, necessitates a comparative analysis against evidentiary material derived from well-established sources.
- The evidence is initially classified, thereby limiting the pool of known instances with which it can be juxtaposed. This initial step serves as the primary stage within the overarching process. After the initial process of categorization, the subsequent step involves the individuation of the evidence, wherein the sample can be identified as a distinct and unique entity.
- The investigator has to make accurate and thorough notes so they may review them months or even years after the fact in order to adequately capture the scene. That’s also known as the “Crime Scene Reconstruction”.
- The scene report should follow these guidelines for proper documentation:
- An operative hypothesis regarding the perpetration of the offence.
- Written or recorded notes that will be subsequently transcribed, whether they be done by hand or on tape.
- Capturing images from varying distances, encompassing the wide expanse, the intermediary range, and the intimate proximity.
- Video to set the tone and provide a better sense of where items are placed.
- Illustrations that are derived from the fundamental principles of orientation, namely triangulation, baseline, and polar coordinates.
- Evidence gathering may be done in a variety of patterns, such as a spiral, grid, strip, zone, or wheel.
- The management of evidence, encompassing its acquisition, conveyance, and safeguarding, exhibits variability contingent upon the specific nature of the evidence under scrutiny.
- To ensure the utmost preservation of the prosecution’s case, it is imperative to establish an unequivocal and concise chain of custody.
- The regulations pertaining to searches and seizures are subject to perpetual updates in light of the ongoing litigation challenges presented before the judiciary.
