TABLE OF CONTENTS. MODULE No. 7: Organizational Set-up of Forensic Science Laboratory-1

Transcription

1 Subject Paper No and Title Module No and Title Paper No. 1; General Forensic Module No.7;Organizational set-up of forensic science laboratory-1 Module Tag FSC_P1_M7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview 1. Learning Outcome 2. Introduction 3. Divisons of Forensic Science Laboratory 3.1 Library 3.2 Forensic Museum 3.3 Instrumental Analysis Division 4. Tools and Techniques

2 1. Learning Outcomes After studying this module, you shall be able to Know about the division of forensic laboraties Learn different tools and techniques used in forensic labs. 2. Introduction Forensic Science being important part of criminal justice system, plays an important role in the Laboratory investigation by examining physical evidences scientifically. Forensic science applies scientific testing methods and the latest technologies to analyze the evidences in Forensic Science Laboratories. Proof of guilt or innocence is frequently determined by the results of forensic evidence analysis and their interpretation thereafter. Edmond Locard's ( ) was first to set up the world's first forensic laboratory in his native country Lyon, France in He also contributed significantly giving the Principle of Mutual Exchange and others. All the forensic science laboratories in India (Central and state) which were earlier working under the police department have now been brought under the control of the Ministries of Home Affairs (Central and state). The position of the forensic science laboratory in the overall organizational structure has been thoroughly documented and legally defined. These laboratories are organized and operate in such a way that they meet the requirements of accreditation while performing in their permanent, temporary or mobile facilities (including field operations and regional laboratories). Laboratory organization and structure depends, to some extent, on the nature of the legal system and also on the history of forensic science development in that country. In response to the rising demands of providing latest technology to the crime investigation process, the forensic science laboratories has to establish to achieve the following objectives: Major aim of the the Forensic science laboratories is to contribute scientific assistance to the agencies involved in criminal investigation. To examine the crime related exhibits referred by Police, Judiciary, and other government departments and undertakings and give opinion. To provide scientific aids to investigation officers (I.Os) in scientific investigation of crime and to help in recognizing, collecting evidences properly from scene of

3 crime, its proper packing, sealing and forwarding to laboratory for examination along with a list of queries. To provide knowledge and training about the role of Forensic Science and its application to crime investigation to police personnel; Judiciary officers and other related officers. To impart training to personnel from police, and other forensic Institutions. To deliver awareness lectures on various aspects of Forensic Science to trainees in various Police, Judicial and other related departments including the people. To perform research in the field of forensics and continuously updating the techniques and methods used for analysis of physical evidences in the Forensic science laboratories. Finally to improve the quality of laboratory services provided to criminal justice system The laboratory should clearly define and document the type and extent of the forensic science services it is going to provides. Management of this laboratory must ensure that: The laboratory will not engage in any activities that might diminish trust in its competence, impartiality, judgement or operational integrity, and The laboratory personnel are free from commercial, financial or any other pressure that might adversely affect the quality of their work. 3.DIVISONS OF A LABORATORY Any ideal Forensic Science Laboratories is generally divided into two types of the divisions (Fig.-2); one which are centralized i.e. their facilities are used by different divisions of the lab, and the other category consists of the divisions the facilities and functions of which are exclusive. The divisions are as follows: 1. Photography (Common for all the divisions) 2. Instrumental Analysis (Common for all the divisions) 3. Computer Facility (Common for all the divisions) 4. Biological sciences, which include Biology unit Serology unit

4 DNA unit 5. Physical Sciences, which include Physics unit Ballistics unit 6. Chemical Sciences, which include Chemistry unit Toxicology unit Narcotics unit Explosive unit 7. Medico-legal Division 8. Documents Division 9. Fingerprint Division 10. Psychological Division (Lie Detection including Brain Finger Printing and Narco Analysis Test) 11. Voice Identification 12. Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime 13. Field Units or Mobile Laboratory All the Forensic Science Laboratory are headed by a Director, who has undergone scientific training and has few years laboratory experience. In comparatively bigger laboratories the director is assisted by Additional or Joint Director (technical) and an Administrative Officer (non-technical). All the divisions are generally headed by Deputy Directors having research experience of several years in various aspects of Forensic Science. The head of the divisions is assisted by Assistant Director, Senior and Junior Scientific Officers, senior and junior scientific assistants, laboratory assistants and attendants (Fig.-1). Overall hierarchy of the laboratory (Scientific/Technical) is shown in Fig-1. Non-technical staff carries out clerical work; maintenance of store, supplies and maintenance duties.

5 The laboratory must be secure and is properly guarded against theft and loss of crime exhibits. There should be adequate storage space for incoming and outgoing case exhibits and should be kept in a separate strong room. Each police district should be given a separate storage rack so that the exhibits do not get misplaced or intermixed. The storekeeper handles only sealed packets of the exhibits. 3.1 Library It is one of the most important parts of any Forensic Science Laboratory. Besides having good subscriptions of national and international research journal, the libraryshould have rich collection of the scientific (both related to basic sciences as well as of forensic science) books. Forensic science literature has been on the increase during the past few years, so library must be well equipped with the internet facilities and well connected with other libraries of the world to keep up to date knowledge. In addition to the above facilities, the reference works in chemistry, physics, biology, technology, and other disciplines should also be part of the library. 3.2 Forensic Museum A well-equipped Museum should be established, which should have Medico legal models; different types of firearms (Classical and modern); cartridge cases; bullets; poisonous snakes, plants, chemicals and rare poisons. Useful charts on different aspects of forensic science should also be displayed. Depending upon their analytical needs or requirements of the investigation, the case exhibits are examined in one or more divisions of the laboratories. As mentioned above, based on the type of facilities, the divisions of the laboratories can be divided in to two categories; centralized (their facilities are used by different divisions of the lab) and the other category consists of the divisions which areexclusive. Some of the centralized divisions and type of facilities they provide to other divisions are discussed below: 3.3 Instrumental Analysis Division: The well-equipped centralized facilities should be available at every laboratory to examine the samples of various divisions by using modern instrumental methods of analysis as per requirement. In the present day world the laboratory should have latest sophisticated instruments like HPTLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, SEM, HPLC, FTIR, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and others like NAA. 3.4 Photography Division

6 This is one of the most important centralized divisions of any Forensic Science Laboratory, which plays an important role in presenting, understanding and the authentication of the results of various divisions of the laboratories to be presented before the court of Law.. DIRECTOR JOINT DIRECTOR / ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR SCIENTIFIC CADRE FOR EACH UNIT BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL v PHYSICAL INSTRUMENTAL DOCUMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY DEPUTY DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER JUNIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER SENIOR SCIENTIFIC ASSITANT SCIENTIFIC ASSITANT LABORATORY ASSISTANT MODULE No. LABORATORY 7: Organizational ATTENDANT Set-up of Forensic Science

7 Fig -1 Hierarchy of the laboratory (Scientific/Technical) 4. Tools and Techniques Some of the Important Tools and Techniques which are usually employed in the above said two categories of the division to analyze evidences must have the following characteristics Sensitive Specific Results obtained should be repeatable Some of the tools and techniquescommonly used in Forensic Science Laboratories are as follows Visual Examination Chemical color tests Ultraviolet, infrared and visible Light examination Chromatography TLC HPLC HPTLC Column Chromatography

8 Spectroscopy Atomic Absorption and Emission Spectrometry Spectrophotometry Compound Microscope Scanning Electron Microscopy Blood Group Testing Techniques e.g. Absorption Inhibition, Absorption Elution and Mixed Agglutination Enzyme Types with single and Multisystem Electrophoresis Electrophoresis DNA analysis XRF XRD Metallurgy Autoradiography G.C. Mass spectrometry Nuclear magnetic resonance Nuclear Activation Analysis Physical measurements e.g. weight, volume, length, density, refractive index X-ray analysis Radio Immunoassay Forensic science laboratory analysis work involves the examination of a wide range of items and substances. The following list defines the types of evidences that may be received in various divisions of forensic science laboratory for conduct of examination and framing of opinion in the form of report. In addition to this however, certain other activities may also be undertaken in a forensic science laboratory.

9 Biology Division (Identification) Blood, Teeth, Hair, Body Fluids and Tissues of Human and Animals Plants materials include Pollen, Diatom, Phytoplankton Aging and sexing from skull and other bones Wildlife offences Skin, Hair, bones, feathers, Horns etc Serology Division Hairs, Blood, Body Fluids and Tissues DNA profiling Blood, Teeth, Hair, Body Fluids and Tissues of Human and Animals Plants materials Chemical Sciences Controlled Substances Controlled pharmaceutical and illicit drugs Related chemicals and paraphernalia Toxicology Pharmaceutical products Poisons Alcohol Criminalistics Trace Evidence Fire debris Pyrotechnic devices Glass Paint Metals and alloys Fibres and hairs Adhesives Oils and greases Lachrymatory chemicals Fertilisers

10 Acids Food Feeding stuffs and ancillary items Building Material Components of technical or household appliances Botanical material (excluding controlled substances) Hydrocarbon fuels Light filaments Vehicle components Firearm discharge residues Clothing/garments Dyes and pigments Cosmetics Soils Corrosives Alkalis Lubricants and spermicidal agents Electrical devices and components Manufacturers marks (Including restoration of serial number) Explosives and explosion debris Firearms and ballistics Firearms Bullets and cartridges Handwriting Handwriting and Document Examination Paper Rubber stamps Security marks Printers and other printed objects Inks and printing materials Copiers and copied material Indentations Typewriters and typewritten material Embossing and embossed materials Fingerprints

11 Fingerprints Foot (& sole) prints Palm prints Marks and Impressions Shoe prints Glove marks Tool marks and impressions Tyre prints Fabric prints Non-friction ridge body prints Audio, Video and Computer Analysis Audiotape recordings Language samples Image enhancement Facial mapping Speech samples Computers (hardware and software) Video-grammetry Recovery of information Accident Investigation Tachograph charts Component failures Speed calculations from skid marks Trace evidence Electrical failures Scene Investigation Crime scene investigation Computer simulations Fire investigation Evidence collection Documentation Photography Blood splash pattern interpretation

12 Forensic pathology, Entomology, Odontology Laboratory Accreditation activities are administered under the direction of the Board for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). 5. Summary Major aim of the the Forensic science laboratories is to contribute scientific assistance to the agencies involved in criminal investigation. To examine the crime related exhibits referred by Police, Judiciary, and other government departments and undertakings and give opinion. To provide scientific aids to investigation officers (I.Os) in scientific investigation of crime and to help in recognizing, collecting evidences properly from scene of crime, its proper packing, sealing and forwarding to laboratory for examination along with a list of queries. To provide knowledge and training about the role of Forensic Science and its application to crime investigation to police personnel; Judiciary officers and other related officers.