Jun 23 2014 : Mirror (Pune)
FORENSICS DO NOT LIE - `Prevent crime by becoming aware of how it takes place'
Mubarak.Ansari @timesgroup.com TWEET @ThePuneMirror
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A lecture on forensic science revealed how crucial it is in modern day crime detection and the emerging trend of preventive forensics
Crime can be prevented if more people are aware of how it takes place -this was the biggest take away from a lecture on forensic science on Saturday, as Dr Rukmani Krishnamurthy, chairman of Helik Advisory Limited, a forensic and allied science organisaiton based in Mumbai, harped on the application of forensic science in the prevention of crime.Krishnamurthy, a former director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Labs, Maharashtra, was in the city to deliver a lecture on `Use of forensic science to tackle hi-tech crimes' at the Centre for Police Research (CPR) on Pashan Road.
Citing the intended use of liquid explosives in the foiled 2006 terror attack at the Heathrow Airport in London, she said that forensics can help in finding such substances which if people are made aware of, more such incidents can be foiled.
“A new trend of preventive forensic is emerging where one knows about an impending terror attack or other crime from the analysis of tests like narco analysis tests. The brain, which can mastermind the most heinous of crimes, can also be `stimulated' to give away criminal intent by confronting it with stimuli such as a picture, word, or phrase associated with information that may be stored in the brain,“ she said.
On the role of forensic evidence in nabbing the guilty, she said, “In serious offences like rape, DNA report can pin point the culprit(s) and reveal how many persons were involved in a case of gangrape.“ Forensic evidence is admissible in a court of law, she informed the audience, which comprised of serving and retired officers.
“When the court has to form an opinion upon a point of foreign law, the identity of hand writing or fingerimpressions, opinions of experts are relevant. Further, Section 293 of the CrPC says government scientific experts may be used as evidence,“ she said.
Talking about the crime scene, she added, “Evidence as tiny as a strand of hair or drop of oil often play a crucial role in solving cases.“
Additional DGP S P Yadav, who is the chief of Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said, “Collection of forensic evidence is need of the hour.“ Adding that detection methods have changed, he said, “Extracting a confession is not enough now. Judges take forensic evidence more seriously, as conviction rate increases with the availability of evidence.“ CPR managing director A V Krishnan, a former IPS officer, said that forensic science raises the credibility of the convict being the guilty.
Police Inspector B B Khaira, who is the admin and accounts manager at CPR, said, “This lecture was the 17th lecture as part of a lecture series, which began in April 2011, aimed at promoting discussion among the intelligentsia on socially relevant issues.“
Citing the intended use of liquid explosives in the foiled 2006 terror attack at the Heathrow Airport in London, she said that forensics can help in finding such substances which if people are made aware of, more such incidents can be foiled.
“A new trend of preventive forensic is emerging where one knows about an impending terror attack or other crime from the analysis of tests like narco analysis tests. The brain, which can mastermind the most heinous of crimes, can also be `stimulated' to give away criminal intent by confronting it with stimuli such as a picture, word, or phrase associated with information that may be stored in the brain,“ she said.
On the role of forensic evidence in nabbing the guilty, she said, “In serious offences like rape, DNA report can pin point the culprit(s) and reveal how many persons were involved in a case of gangrape.“ Forensic evidence is admissible in a court of law, she informed the audience, which comprised of serving and retired officers.
“When the court has to form an opinion upon a point of foreign law, the identity of hand writing or fingerimpressions, opinions of experts are relevant. Further, Section 293 of the CrPC says government scientific experts may be used as evidence,“ she said.
Talking about the crime scene, she added, “Evidence as tiny as a strand of hair or drop of oil often play a crucial role in solving cases.“
Additional DGP S P Yadav, who is the chief of Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said, “Collection of forensic evidence is need of the hour.“ Adding that detection methods have changed, he said, “Extracting a confession is not enough now. Judges take forensic evidence more seriously, as conviction rate increases with the availability of evidence.“ CPR managing director A V Krishnan, a former IPS officer, said that forensic science raises the credibility of the convict being the guilty.
Police Inspector B B Khaira, who is the admin and accounts manager at CPR, said, “This lecture was the 17th lecture as part of a lecture series, which began in April 2011, aimed at promoting discussion among the intelligentsia on socially relevant issues.“
