📌 Forensic Science – De nition

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The word “Forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis”,
meaning related to courts of justice or public debate.

🔬 What is Forensic Science?

It is the application of scienti c methods to recognize,

identify, and analyze physical evidence for criminal justice.

🔍 Other Terms

• In the U.S.A., forensic science is also called “Criminalistics.”

• It includes various branches of science like chemistry,
biology, physics, and geology.

🧪 📌 Forensic Science Divisions

🔬 Forensic Science Divisions

Both State & Central Forensic Labs have specialized divisions

to analyze evidence and help solve crimes. 🕵 ⚖

1⃣ Ballistics 🔫 💥

• Studies guns, bullets, and ammunition. 🎯

• Matches bullets & cartridges to speci c rearms. 🔍

• Determines ring distance, angle, and weapon type. 📏

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 • Examines gunshot wounds & explosives. 🚑 💣

2⃣ Biology 🧬 🦴

• Analyzes blood, hair, bones, and tissues. 🩸 🦷

• Identi es human vs. animal remains. 🐾 🔍

• Examines insects, bacteria, and plant materials. 🦠 🍃

3⃣ Chemistry ⚗ 🧪

• Tests drugs, poisons, and chemicals. 💊 ☠

• Checks petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene). ⛽

🔥

• Analyzes re debris to detect arson. 🏚 🔥

• Examines paints, metals, and construction materials. 🎨

🔩🏗

4⃣ Documents 📝 ✍

• Veri es signatures & handwriting. 🖊 🔍

• Detects forged documents, fake currency, & altered

writings. 💸 ⚠
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• Analyzes stamps, seals, and printed materials. 📜 🔎

• Restores erased or burned text. 🔥 📖

5⃣ Lie Detector 🧠 🚨

• Uses polygraph tests to detect lies. 📊 💓

• Monitors heart rate, breathing, & sweating. 💦 💡

• Helps in suspect interrogations. 🕵 ⚖

6⃣ Physics 🔬 ⚙

• Analyzes tool marks, glass, & soil. 🔍 🔨 🌍

• Examines paint chips in hit-and-run cases. 🚗 💥

• Restores erased serial numbers on stolen items. 🔢 🚘

• Studies rope, torn fabric, & metal fragments. 🧵 🔗 🧲

7⃣ Serology 🩸 🧬

• Tests blood, semen, saliva, & sweat stains. 🕵 🔬

• Helps in DNA identi cation & crime scene matching. 🧑⚕ 🧑🔬

• Determines blood groups & paternity. 🧑🧒 🔍

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 8⃣ Toxicology 💉 ☠

• Identi es poisons in body uids (blood, urine, stomach

wash). 🧪 🚑

• Detects alcohol levels in drunken driving cases. 🍺 🚗

• Examines drugs, pills, & toxic substances. 💊 💀

Each division plays a key role in solving crimes 🔍 🕵 ⚖ by

analyzing different types of evidence! ✅

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on Forensic

Science Divisions

1⃣ Ballistics 🔫 💥

Q1: What does the Ballistics division primarily study?

a) Fingerprints & footprints
b) Guns, bullets, and ammunition
c) Handwriting and documents
d) Soil and glass evidence

✅ Answer: b) Guns, bullets, and ammunition

Q2: Which of the following is NOT analyzed in Ballistics?

a) Firing distance & angle
b) Explosives & gunshot wounds
c) Blood group of a suspect
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d) Matching bullets to rearms

✅ Answer: c) Blood group of a suspect

2⃣ Biology 🧬 🦴

Q3: The Biology division examines which of the following?

a) Insects & plant materials
b) Firearms & bullets
c) Chemical poisons
d) Fingerprint patterns

✅ Answer: a) Insects & plant materials

Q4: How can the Biology division help in criminal

investigations?
a) By identifying human vs. animal remains
b) By checking for forged documents
c) By detecting alcohol levels in the body
d) By analyzing explosives

✅ Answer: a) By identifying human vs. animal remains

3⃣ Chemistry ⚗ 🧪

Q5: The Chemistry division helps in detecting:

a) Fake signatures
b) Drugs, poisons, and chemicals
c) Gunshot wounds
d) Stolen jewelry

✅ Answer: b) Drugs, poisons, and chemicals

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Q6: Which of the following cases would require the Chemistry
division?
a) Handwriting forgery
b) Drug overdose & poisoning
c) Car accident reconstruction
d) Lie detection test

✅ Answer: b) Drug overdose & poisoning

4⃣ Documents 📝 ✍

Q7: The Document division is responsible for:

a) Analyzing blood samples
b) Examining signatures, handwriting, and stamps
c) Identifying toxic substances
d) Detecting gunshot wounds

✅ Answer: b) Examining signatures, handwriting, and

stamps

Q8: What type of crime is investigated by the Document

division?
a) Drunken driving cases
b) Counterfeit currency detection
c) Bullet matching
d) DNA pro ling

✅ Answer: b) Counterfeit currency detection

5⃣ Lie Detector 🧠 🚨

Q9: A polygraph test detects lies by measuring:

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a) Blood type
b) Heart rate, breathing, and sweating
c) DNA structure
d) Soil composition

✅ Answer: b) Heart rate, breathing, and sweating

Q10: The Lie Detector division is used for:

a) Analyzing toxic chemicals
b) Interrogating suspects
c) Matching ngerprints
d) Examining bullets

✅ Answer: b) Interrogating suspects

6⃣ Physics 🔬 ⚙

Q11: What does the Physics division analyze?

a) Soil, tool marks, and glass evidence
b) Blood and DNA
c) Handwriting and signatures
d) Poison in food samples

✅ Answer: a) Soil, tool marks, and glass evidence

Q12: Which type of crime would involve the Physics division?

a) A murder with a gun
b) A hit-and-run accident with paint chip analysis
c) A poisoning case
d) A paternity dispute

✅ Answer: b) A hit-and-run accident with paint chip

analysis
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7⃣ Serology 🩸 🧬

Q13: What bodily uids are analyzed in the Serology division?

a) Blood, semen, saliva, and sweat
b) Ink and handwriting samples
c) Metal fragments and tools
d) Drugs and alcohol

✅ Answer: a) Blood, semen, saliva, and sweat

Q14: DNA pro ling is performed by:

a) Serology division
b) Ballistics division
c) Lie Detector division
d) Document division

✅ Answer: a) Serology division

8⃣ Toxicology 💉 ☠

Q15: The Toxicology division helps in detecting:

a) Fake currency notes
b) Alcohol in blood and urine
c) Bullet trajectories
d) Handwriting authenticity

✅ Answer: b) Alcohol in blood and urine

Q16: Which case would require Toxicology analysis?

a) A robbery case
b) A poisoning or drug overdose case
c) A hit-and-run accident
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 d) A signature veri cation case

✅ Answer: b) A poisoning or drug overdose case

Each question tests forensic knowledge with real-world

applications! 🕵 🔬 ⚖

True or False

1⃣ Serologist to the Government of India was established

for the chemical examination of viscera and poisons.
➡ False ❌ (Serologists primarily deal with blood and bodily
uids, not chemical examination of viscera and poisons.)

2⃣ The rst Forensic Science Laboratory in India was

established in the year 1952 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
➡ True ✅ (India’s rst forensic science lab was set up in
Kolkata in 1952.)

3⃣ National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science

is an institute for training and research in Criminology and
Forensic Science.
➡ True ✅ (It provides training and conducts research in
criminology and forensic science.)

4⃣ All the Central Forensic Science Laboratories are under

the administrative control of the Bureau of Police Research
and Development.
➡ False ❌ (They are under the control of the Directorate of
Forensic Science Services, not BPR&D.)
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5⃣ Besides giving expert opinion on the genuineness of
Indian Currency Notes, the General Manager, Bank Note
Press, Dewas can also examine foreign counterfeit
currency notes.
➡ False ❌ (The examination of foreign counterfeit currency is
handled by forensic experts and nancial institutions, not the
General Manager of Bank Note Press, Dewas.)

SCENE OF OCCURRENCE
SYNOPSIS
1. Introduction ......
21 Crime Scene...
3. People and Things
‚Locard's Principle of Exchange
5. Limitations
• 6. Preservation of the crime scene
1. Recording of crime scene ......
2. Methodic Search for Evidence
3. Value of Trace Evidence

🔍 Crime Scene and Its Importance in

Investigation

1. 🛑 What is a Crime Scene?

• A crime scene is the place where a crime 🕵 has happened

or where evidence 🧾 is found.
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 • It is the rst place the police investigate after receiving a
report 🚔 .

2. 🎯 Why is the Crime Scene Important?

• The success or failure of an investigation depends on how

well the crime scene is handled ⚖ .

• Proper collection and preservation of evidence are crucial

for solving the case 🔬 .

3. 👮 Role of the Investigator

• The investigator must have the knowledge 📚 and skills 🛠

to handle evidence correctly.
• He must identify, collect, preserve, and analyze physical
evidence 🩸 🧤 .

• He must follow both legal ⚖ and scienti c 🔬 guidelines

while collecting evidence.

4. 📍 How Big is a Crime Scene?

• A crime scene is not always limited to one place 🏠 .

• It can extend to multiple locations depending on the crime

🚗🏞.

• Example:

• Burglary (theft) 🏚 – Usually at a single location.

• Murder or Kidnapping 🩸 🚔 – May involve multiple

places.
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 5. 🕵 Crime Scene as the Starting Point

• The crime scene gives important clues 🔎 about the victim

and the suspect.
• It helps investigators reconstruct the crime (understand
how it happened) 🧩 .

In a compact scene of crime, such as burglary, the scene

may be divided into
ve parts, namely:—
🔍

1. 🚶 Line of Approach

• The path the criminal took to reach the crime scene.

2. 🚪 Point of Entry

• The place where the criminal entered (e.g., a broken door

or window).

3. 🎭 Actual Scene

• The exact spot where the crime took place.

4. 🚪 Point of Exit

• The place where the criminal left after committing the

crime.

5. 🏃 Line of Retreat
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 • The path the criminal took to escape.

📌 Types of Crime Scenes

1. 🌳 Outdoor Crime Scene

• A crime committed in open areas like roads, elds, or

parks.

• Example: Hit-and-run accident 🚗 💥 , murder in a eld

🔪.

2. 🏠 Indoor Crime Scene

• A crime committed inside a closed space like a house,

of ce, or car.

• Example: Burglary 🏚 , robbery 💰 🔫 , homicide 🩸 .

3. 📄 Crimes with No Physical Scene

• Some crimes do not have a speci c location.

• Example: Forgery ✍ 💰 , embezzlement (fraud) 🏦 .

🔬 Importance of Physical Evidence

• Crimes involving physical activity (e.g., theft, housebreaking,

robbery, homicide, rape, traf c accidents) leave behind
evidence like:

• Fingerprints 🖐
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 • Blood stains 🩸

• Weapons 🔪 🔫

• Footprints 👣

• Fibers or clothing threads 👕

• Evidence helps solve the crime by identifying the suspect

and reconstructing the crime.

😊 🔍 People and Things in Criminal Investigation

1.👥 People vs. 🔎 Things in Investigation

• People commit crimes, but they use things (objects) to do so.

• These things form the basis of physical evidence, which helps
solve crimes.

2.⚖ Importance of Physical Evidence

• Some investigations fail because too much focus is placed on

criminals, ignoring physical evidence.
• A good investigator must balance between questioning
suspects and analyzing evidence.

🔬 Understanding Physical Evidence

1.📌 What is Physical Evidence?

 • Any object, substance, or trace that can help in crime
investigation.

• Examples: Fingerprints 🖐 , blood stains 🩸 , weapons 🔪 ,

footprints 👣 , bers 👕 .

2.📥 How to Collect and Preserve It?

• Use proper tools (gloves 🧤 , forceps, sterile containers 🧳 ).

Gloves 🧤 – Prevents contamination from human touch.

• Forceps (Tweezers) 🔬 – Used to pick up small evidence like

bers or hair.

• Sterile Containers 🧳 – Used to store and transport

evidence safely.

• Sealable Bags 📦 – Protects items from dust, moisture, and

tampering.

• Cotton Swabs 🩸 – Used to collect blood, saliva, or other

uids.

Using these tools ensures that the evidence remains

untouched, unaltered, and admissible in court. 🚔 🔍

• Avoid contamination by handling evidence carefully.

• Label and store evidence correctly for laboratory testing.

3.📍 How & Where to Obtain Information from Evidence?

• Physical evidence can be found at:

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• Crime scene 🏠 🚗

• On the suspect’s body or belongings 🎒

• On the victim 🩸

• Advanced forensic techniques 🔬 can extract useful

information from evidence.

4.🧩 How to Interpret the Information?

• Compare evidence with known samples.

• Analyze patterns (e.g., footprints, tool marks, bullet
trajectories).
• Use scienti c methods to connect evidence with the suspect
or crime.

A smart investigator always looks for both people and things to

solve a case ef ciently! 🚔 🔍

🔍 Locard’s Principle of Exchange

⚖

“Every Contact Leaves a Trace!” 🔬 👣

🔍 Locard’s Principle of Exchange

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Dr. Edmond Locard, a famous criminologist, stated that
“Whenever two objects come into contact, they exchange
materials.” This principle is important for crime scene
investigation.

📌 How Locard’s Principle Works?

1. 🔄 Mutual Exchange of Evidence

• When a criminal touches or interacts with a place, they

leave behind some evidence.
• At the same time, they carry away something from the
crime scene.

2. 👣 Example: Shoeprints and Soil

• If a person walks on loose soil, they leave behind

shoeprints.
• At the same time, some soil sticks to their shoes and
travels with them.

3. 🕵 Criminals Cannot Escape Evidence

• A criminal may avoid being seen 👀 or heard 👂 , but

they cannot avoid leaving traces.
• Examples of evidence left behind:

• Fingerprints 🖐 on doors or objects.

• Hair strands 🧑🦱 on the victim’s body.

• Clothing bers 👕 stuck on surfaces.

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 • Blood stains 🩸 or skin cells on weapons.

4. 🔬 Importance in Crime Investigation

• Investigators use forensic science to collect and analyze

evidence.
• This helps in identifying the suspect and reconstructing
the crime.

✅ Conclusion

No criminal can leave a crime scene without leaving some

evidence behind! 🚔 🔍

Would you like any more simpli cations? 😊

⚖ Why Is It Important?

✅ Helps police recreate the crime scene. 🏚

✅ Links the suspect, victim, and crime scene. 🧑⚖
✅ Used for ngerprint, DNA, and trace analysis. 🧬 🔍

🌟 Fun Fact:

Even if criminals try to clean up, tiny hidden evidence can still
be found! 🦠 🔦

This principle helps police solve crimes using science! 🚔

🕵✨
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🔍 Example of Locard’s Principle of
Exchange ⚖
Example 1: Fingerprints on a Weapon 🔫

A thief steals money from a shop and touches the counter and
the door handle while escaping. Police nd ngerprints on
these surfaces and match them with a suspect’s records. This
helps catch the thief! 🚔

🧥 Example: Hair & Fiber Evidence

🩸
A criminal attacks a victim and during the ght:

✔ The criminal’s hair falls on the victim’s clothes. 👩🦰 👕

✔ The victim’s blood or fabric bers( tiny threads ) stick to
the criminal’s clothes. 🩸 🧥

Police collect this evidence and use forensic tests to match

the hair and bers with the suspect. This proves the suspect
was at the crime scene! 🔍 🚔

⚠ Limitations in Crime Scene Investigation

1. 🚧 Protecting the Crime Scene

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 • Protecting the crime scene is key to preserving evidence
🧳.

• Problem: Before the police arrive, people (inmates,

onlookers) may disturb the scene and destroy evidence
🔎.

• The Investigating Of cer (I.O.) must ensure no one

touches anything at the scene 🛑 .

2. ⏳ Time is Important

• If the real criminal isn’t found soon, the evidence may

lose its value or become hard to use 🕵 .

• Clues need to be found and collected quickly, or they might

deteriorate or disappear 💨 .

3. 🧑🔬 Forensic Labs Challenges

• Forensic science labs are often not enough to handle all

the evidence 🧪 .

• Delays in expert reports can make evidence less useful

⚖.

• Result: Investigators may not send evidence to the lab in

time.

4. 📅 Legal Time Limits

• The Delhi High Court now has a time limit for getting
expert opinions 🕓 .
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✅ Conclusion

Crime scene investigations face problems like human

interference, time delays, and lab limitations. Quick action
and proper handling are key to solving crimes 🔍 🚔 .

🛑 Preservation of the Crime Scene

1. 🔑 Importance of Preservation

• Preserving the crime scene is the most important task of

the police 🚔 .

• Goal: To protect evidence and avoid tampering.

2. 👮 The First Person at the Scene

• The rst of cer who arrives must secure the scene from
curious onlookers and family members 🏠 .

• Isolate the area by cordoning it off (using barriers or

ropes) 🚧 .

3. 🚫 Do Not Touch or Alter

• Nothing should be touched, moved, or changed until the

Investigating Of cer arrives 🧑🔬 .

• Moving any object or the dead body will destroy

evidence and make it impossible to restore the scene to
its original condition.
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4. ❌ Impact of Altering the Scene

• Once the scene is altered, it becomes dif cult or

impossible for the investigator to:

• Reconstruct the crime 🔍

• Identify the criminal using physical evidence 🕵 .

✅ Conclusion

Preserving the crime scene is vital for solving the crime. Even
small changes can ruin the investigation. The rst responder
plays a key role in securing the scene properly. 🛑 🔐

📝 Recording of the Crime Scene

a) Recording of notes
b) Sketching the crime scene
c) Photographs of crime scene
d)

1. 🔒 Protect the Crime Scene First

• Before recording evidence, make sure the crime scene is

secured and protected from anyone tampering with it 🚔 .

2. 👥 Involve Independent Witnesses

• The investigator should seek help from two independent

and reliable witnesses 🧑🧑🧒🧒 (preferably from the
neighborhood).
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 • Their presence can strengthen the case during the trial
⚖.

3. 📓 Describe Evidence in Detail

• Do not touch or move any evidence 🧤 until it has been

carefully recorded.
• Write a detailed description of each piece of evidence in
a notebook 📚 .

4. 🖼 Create a Sketch and Take Photos

• Draw a sketch to show the location of each piece of

evidence 🖊 .

• Take clear photographs of the scene and all the evidence

📸.

5. 🚫 Do Not Disturb the Evidence

• Nothing should be disturbed or picked up until it is fully

recorded 📑 .

✅ Conclusion

Recording the crime scene properly is critical for a successful

investigation. Witnesses, detailed notes, sketches, and
photos all help build a strong case. 🕵 📸

Let me know if you’d like further details! 😊

Recording of Notes:
The investigator must start by documenting important details
and facts observed at the crime scene. It’s essential to
describe the discovery of each piece of evidence, including
where and when it was found. These factual records help
challenge any defense arguments regarding the crime’s theory
and reconstruction. The notes should include:

1. Date & Time of the FIR ⏰ : Mention when the First

Information Report was led.

2. Nature of the Crime ⚖ : Describe the type of crime (e.g.,

theft, murder, assault).

3. Location of the Crime Scene 📍 : Give a brief

description of where the crime occurred.

4. Brief Facts of the Crime 📝 : Summarize what happened.

5. Names of All Of cers Present 👮 👮 : List of cers,

witnesses, investigators, and any special personnel at
the scene.
6. Personnel Who Took Photos, Fingerprints, Sketches,
etc. 📸 ✋ : Identify those responsible for capturing
physical evidence.

7. Weather & Lighting Conditions 🌤 💡 : Note the weather

and lighting when the scene was recorded.

8. Description of the Scene 🏠 : Detail the interior and

exterior of the scene, including the number of rooms,
doors, windows, etc.
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 9. Location & Collection of Evidence 🧩 : Specify where
evidence was found and how it was collected.

10. Date & Time of Completion 🕓 : Record when the

investigation and scene examination were completed.

Each part is essential for an accurate and thorough

investigation!

📌 Sketching the Crime Scene

Creating a rough sketch of the crime scene is an essential

step in the investigation. It helps in understanding the layout of
the crime scene along with photographs.

Steps to Sketch the Crime Scene:

1⃣ Make the Sketch at the Crime Scene – Do not draw it later

from memory.

2⃣ Ensure Accuracy – Measure distances precisely, no

approximations.

3⃣ Use a Compass 🧭 – Indicate the correct directions

(North, South, East, West).

4⃣ Highlight Important Objects – Mark and locate crucial

evidence and items at the scene.
5⃣ Omit Unnecessary Objects – Do not include things
irrelevant to the case.

A well-prepared sketch supports the investigation and makes

the case stronger. ✅

📸 Crime Scene Photography 🔍

Crime scene photos help record evidence and reconstruct

events. They provide a clear, permanent record for
investigations and court cases. ✅ ⚖

🔹 Key Points of Crime Scene Photography

1⃣ Follow an Orderly Process 🔄

• Start with wide shots of the whole scene 🏠 .

• Move to mid-range shots of important areas 🚪 .

• End with close-ups of key evidence 🔍 🔬 .

2⃣ Types of Photos 📷

• Overall Shots – Show the entire crime scene from different

angles 🌍 .
• Mid-Range Shots – Focus on speci c areas like a table with
objects 🏚 .

• Close-Ups – Capture details like ngerprints, weapons, or

wounds 🩸 🔫 .

3⃣ Use Proper Lighting & Focus 💡

• Avoid dark, blurry, or unclear images 🚫 ❌ .

• Make sure details are sharp and visible 🔬 📸 .

4⃣ Add Time & Date ⏳

• Every photo should have a timestamp for accuracy 📅 .

5⃣ Don’t Move Evidence 🚫

• Take pictures before touching anything! This keeps

evidence authentic 🕵 ⚖ .

6⃣ Important for Court 🏛

• Proper photos help in court cases and witness statements

📝.

• Must be clear, untampered, and well-documented ✅ .

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📍 Why Crime Scene Photography is Important?

✅ Helps preserve evidence permanently 🔍 .

✅ Aids in solving cases faster 🕵 .
✅ Supports legal investigations ⚖ .
✅ Helps identify suspects and reconstruct events 🔄 .

By following these simple rules, investigators ensure no

important detail is missed! 🏠 📸 🕵

Searching for Evidence 🔍

Before starting to search for physical evidence, the

investigator must be clear on:

1. How to search 🤔

2. Where to search 📍

3. What to search for 🔎

1. How to Search for Clues?

• Indoor Search (like in a room or vehicle):

 • Be careful and organized 🏠 .

• Start at the door and search clockwise or anti-clockwise

🔄.

• Check the ceiling too! Sometimes evidence is there 🏠

⬆.

• Systematic search ensures no clue is missed ✅ .

• Outdoor Search (open areas):

• Use a team for larger areas 🌳 . Tea = Leader + 4 members

who are trained in the search for clues.
• Divide the area among the team members and work
together 👥 .

2. Methods of Searching for Evidence:

🟩 Strip Method:

• Divide the area into a rectangle.

• Search back and forth in straight lines from one side to the
other ➡ ⬅ .

🔵 Spiral Method:

• Start just outside the crime scene and search in a spiral

pattern moving inward 🌀 .
🟪 Zone/Quad Method:

• Divide the area into a big square rst, then divide it into
smaller squares.

• Each searcher is given a small square to search 📐 .

🟠 Wheel Method:

• Mark the area as a circle.

• Start from the center and search outward along the edges
🏁.

Important Tips:

• Take your time to search carefully, so you don’t miss any

evidence 🕵 .

• Work together as a team to cover the whole area 👥 .

• Use the method that works best for the scene 🌍 .

Following these steps helps ensure that no clues are missed

and the search is thorough. ✅

Outdoor Crime Scene Search 🌳 🔍

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1. Night-time challenges:

• If possible, postpone the search until the next day 🌞

• If not, use oodlights for better visibility 💡

2. Search Methods:

• Zone and Spiral Methods are best for outdoor scenes 🌀

• Ensure the entire area is covered and double-checked ✅

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3. Vehicle Examination (based on the type of crime):
• Hit and Run: Check interior, exterior, and under the
vehicle 🚗

• Look for damage, blood, hair, bers, fabric

impressions, and tissue 🩸 🧬

• Rape or Murder: Focus on interior of the vehicle for

evidence like ngerprints, blood, bers, and hair 🧳 🩸

Indoor Crime Scene Search 🏠 🔍

1. Be Thorough and Systematic:

• Use the Spiral Method to search the area 🌀

• Check every corner and hidden space carefully 👀

2. Look Behind and Inside:

• Check behind doors, carpets, mattresses, trunks,
suitcases, boxes, and furniture 🛋 🧳

3. Focus on Hidden Spaces:

• Look for cracks in the oor, behind curtains, light xtures,
and switchboards 🪞 ⚡

• Examine behind wall hangings and look for false

containers 📦

4. Check for Missing Items:

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 • If something should be there but isn’t, search more
carefully 🕵

5. Pay Attention to Small Clues:

• Look for things like overturned furniture, broken
windows, displaced items, or the victim’s position 🪑 🪟

• Every small trace might be important! 🔍

Common Physical Evidence at a Crime Scene 🕵
💼

1. Fibers, Hair, Fabric 🧵 💇

• Includes unusual bers that might be left behind during the

crime.

2. Biological Stains 🩸

• Blood, semen, saliva, sputum, urine, etc.

3. Chemical Stains 🧴

• Paint, grease, acids, petrol, and similar substances.

4. Dust, Dirt, and Plant Materials 🍃 🌍

• Soil, vegetable matter, pollen, debris, etc.

5. Fragments 🧳

• Glass, metal, and metal lings.

6. Firearms and Ammunition 🔫 💥

• Cartridge cases, pellets, bullets, powder marks, etc.

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 7. Marks 🔧

• Tyre marks, skid marks, teeth marks, tool marks,

erased marks, etc.

8. Fingerprints and Palmprints 🖐 🔍

• To identify the perpetrator or witnesses.

9. Footprints and Shoe Prints 👣 👟

• Helps to trace the movements of the suspect.

10. Poison Evidence ☠

• Vomit, viscera, phials, residues in bottles, glass, etc.

11. Documents 📜 ✍

• Questioned documents, typewritten documents, erased

or altered documents, burned documents, etc.

12. Weapons or Implements ⚔

• Tools or weapons used in the crime.

13. Inadvertently Left Articles 🧳 🔦

• Tools, handkerchief, torch, footwear, etc. left behind by

the criminal.

These types of evidence can provide crucial information for

solving a crime! 🕵

Here are the MCQs with emojis:

I. Choose the most appropriate answer:

1. What is the main source of physical evidence for the

reconstruction of a crime?

• 🏙 a) The scene of the crime

• 🧑⚖ b) The victim of the crime

• 👮 c) The perpetrator of the crime

• 🔄 d) All three sources

• Answer: 🏙 a) The scene of the crime

2. What is the rst duty of a police of cer at the scene of

the crime?

• ✍ a) To sketch the scene

• 🚧 b) To barricade the scene

• 📸 c) To photograph the scene

• 🧪 d) To collect the physical evidence

• Answer: 🚧 b) To barricade the scene

3. Which of the following is NOT a method of search for

clues at the scene of the crime?

• 🌀 a) Spiral method

• 🔄 b) Wheel method
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 • 🚶 c) Strip method

• ❌ d) Crisscross method

• Answer: ❌ d) Crisscross method

4. Which method is most preferred for searching clues at

an indoor crime scene?

• 🔄 a) Wheel method

• 🌀 b) Spiral method

• 🔲 c) Zone method

• 🚶 d) Strip method

• Answer: 🌀 b) Spiral method

5. What does Locard’s Principle of Exchange relate to?

• 💱 a) Foreign exchange

• 🔍 b) Exchange of trace evidence material

• 📚 c) Exchange of criminal information

• 💖 d) Exchange of hearts

• Answer: 🔍 b) Exchange of trace evidence material

II. True or False:

 1. When photographs of the scene of the crime are taken,
it is not necessary to draw sketches of the scene.

• ✅ a) True

• ❌ b) False

• Answer: ❌ b) False

Here are the true/false statements with answers:

1. In searching the scene for evidentiary clues, one must

rst search for minute traces like hair, bers, dust, etc.

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• Answer: ✅ True

2. A commonly occurring ber is more useful as evidence

than a rare type of ber.

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• Answer: ❌ False (Rare bers are often more useful

because they are unique.)
3. A scene of crime is limited to a place where the dead
body is rst discovered.
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 • ✅ True

• ❌ False

• Answer: ❌ False (The scene of the crime can be broader

than just where the body is discovered.)
4. A crime committed in a vehicle falls in the category of an
indoor crime scene.

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• Answer: ❌ False (A vehicle is typically considered an

outdoor crime scene, even though it’s an enclosed space.)

CHAPTER — 4
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
SYNOPSIS
1. De nition
2. Importance.
3. Sources of Physical Evidence.
1. The Crime Scene.
2. The Victim
3. The Suspect..
4. Utility of Physical Evidence..
8. Types of Physical Evidence.
9. Location of Physical Evidence at the Crime Scene
' 10. Search and Collection of Physical Evidence.
1. Control Sample ..
2. Handling of Physical Evidence
• 13. Packing and Labelling of Evidence
1. Sealing
2. Forwarding
3. Chain of Evidence
4. Special Instruction for Speci c Types of Exhibits

De nition
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Physical evidence refers to any material object that can help
prove or disprove something in an investigation. It is anything
that you can physically touch or see, whether it’s something
large or small. This includes things like clothes, weapons,
blood, hair, or even things you can’t see easily, like
microscopic bers or dust. 🧳 🔍

Importance

Physical evidence is one of the most valuable tools for

investigators. Here’s why:

• Proves a Crime: It can show that a crime has actually

happened. 💥

• Links the Crime: It can connect the crime to the victim or the
criminal. For example, blood found at the scene might belong
to the victim, or a ngerprint on a weapon could belong to the
suspect. 🔗 🕵

• Leads to Clues: During an investigation, physical evidence

can give investigators new directions to look into. 🛣

For physical evidence to be useful, investigators need to know

how to handle it correctly, including:

• Collecting, preserving, and packing it safely. 📦

• Maintaining the chain of custody: This means making sure

no one tampered with the evidence from the moment it was
collected until it is used in court. 🔒 ⚖
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Macroscopic vs. Microscopic Evidence

• Macroscopic evidence: Big, easy-to-see items like weapons

or footprints. 👣 🔪

• Microscopic evidence: Small, hard-to-see items like bers,

hairs, or dust. 🧬

Even though large items might be easy to nd, it’s the

microscopic evidence that can often be more important in
solving a crime. For example:

• Fibers and hairs can prove someone was in a place or

handled something. 🧵

• Tiny traces on weapons (like ngerprints or DNA) can link a

weapon directly to the person who used it. 🧬 🔫

In short, while big pieces of evidence are important, small

evidence (like bers or dust) can connect the criminal to the
crime in ways that might be harder to see but are crucial for
solving the case.

Sources of Physical Evidence

Physical evidence can come from three main sources:

1. The Crime Scene

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 • The crime scene is the most important source of
physical evidence. It includes:
• Line of Approach: The path the criminal took to reach
the crime scene.
• Point of Entry: How the criminal entered the crime
scene.
• Actual Scene: Where the crime happened.
• Point of Exit: How the criminal left the scene.
• Line of Departure: The route taken by the criminal when
leaving.
• Physical evidence found here could include things like
ngerprints, bloodstains, weapons, or footprints. This
helps connect the crime to the criminal. 🚨 🧳

2. The Victim
• Victims can also be an important source of evidence. For
example, if the victim is attacked, their clothing or body
may have physical evidence from the suspect. This could
be:

• Hair or bers from the suspect. 🧵

• Blood that might show the suspect’s involvement. 💉

• Evidence from the crime scene itself, like dirt or glass.

🏚

• The victim might be carrying important clues that help

identify the suspect or connect them to the crime.
3. The Suspect and His Environment
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 • The suspect is another key source of evidence. Things
like:
• Clothing: The suspect may have blood, bers, or other
traces from the crime scene on their clothes. 👚

• Tools or weapons: The suspect may be carrying a

weapon or tool that was used in the crime. 🔪

• Vehicles or Property: A search of the suspect’s vehicle

or home may reveal evidence like stolen items or tools
used in the crime. 🚗 🛠

• By carefully searching the suspect’s belongings, you can

nd physical evidence that links them to the crime.

Summary

• Crime Scene: The location where the crime took place, and
where many types of physical evidence can be found. 🏚

• Victim: The person who has been affected by the crime, and
may carry evidence from the suspect or crime scene. 🧑⚖

• Suspect: The person suspected of committing the crime, and

their belongings can hold crucial evidence. 👤 🔍

7. Utility of Physical Evidence

Physical evidence is extremely important in criminal

investigations because it can often be the decisive factor in
determining guilt or innocence. Here’s why:
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• Scienti c Evidence vs. Oral Evidence:
• Physical evidence is based on facts that can only have
one explanation, and it can be tested and con rmed by
others. 🧬 🔬

• Oral evidence (what witnesses say) can be wrong

because of poor memory, confusion, or witnesses turning
against the investigation. 🧠

• As the saying goes: “Witnesses may lie, but circumstances

never do.” This means physical evidence can’t lie. 🔍

How Physical Evidence Helps:

• Proving Guilt and Innocence:

Physical evidence can prove someone’s guilt or clear their
innocence. It helps narrow down suspects and can quickly
identify who’s involved in the crime and who is not. ⚖

• Before Identifying a Suspect:

Even before the police have a suspect, physical evidence can
give them clues about the criminal:

• The clothes they wore 🧥

• Their physical features (like height, age, or hair) 🧑⚖

• Their habits and occupation 🔧

This helps the police narrow down the search and focus on the
right suspects.
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 • Once a Suspect is Found:
After locating a suspect, physical evidence can prove that the
suspect is connected to the crime. If the suspect’s
ngerprints are found on a weapon or they have blood on their
clothes, it directly links them to the crime. 👤 🔗

What Physical Evidence Can Do:

Here’s how physical evidence helps in investigations:

a) Proving a Crime Happened:

Physical evidence can show that a crime has actually occurred,
called corpus delicti (which means “the body of the crime”).
For example, nding blood at a crime scene can prove that
something violent happened. 💥 🩸

b) Linking Suspects to the Crime:

It can connect the suspect to the victim or the crime scene.
For example, ngerprints or hairs on a weapon can link the
suspect to the crime. 🖐 🔫

c) Identifying the Criminals:

Physical evidence can help identify the people involved in the
crime. For example, DNA from the crime scene might match the
suspect’s DNA. 🧬

d) Proving Innocence:
Physical evidence can clear the innocent. If a person is
wrongly accused, evidence like alibi evidence (for example, a
person’s ngerprint not being at the scene) can prove they
didn’t do it. 🚫
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 e) Supporting the Victim’s Story:
It can back up what the victim says happened. For instance,
bruises on the victim that match the suspect’s weapon help
con rm the victim’s account. 🗣 💔

f) Suspects May Confess:

Sometimes when a suspect sees physical evidence against
them, they might admit their guilt. For example, if their DNA is
found on the victim, they may confess to the crime. 🗣 🔒

g) More Reliable Than Eyewitnesses:

Physical evidence is more reliable than eyewitness testimony
because people sometimes forget or lie. 🧐 🔎

h) Accepted in Court:
Physical evidence is recognized in courts of law and is often
the most trusted type of evidence. Sometimes, it’s the only
proof available when no one saw the crime or there is no direct
evidence. ⚖ 👩⚖

Summary

In simple words, physical evidence is like a truthful witness

that doesn’t lie, and it can help solve a crime by:

• Proving the crime happened.

• Linking the criminal to the crime scene.
• Helping identify criminals.
• Clearing innocent people.
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• Supporting the victim’s testimony.
It’s powerful because it can be scienti cally tested, reliable,
and admissible in court. 🧑⚖ 🔍
Types of Physical Evidence

Here are the different types of physical evidence that might

be found in various types of crimes:

1. Blood, Semen, and Other Physiological Fluids

• These bodily uids (liquid or dried) can be from humans or
animals and may help link a suspect to a crime or victim.
🩸💧

2. Fingerprints
• Fingerprints found at a crime scene can identify the
criminal or victim. 🖐 🔍

3. Footprints
• Footprints may show the presence of a suspect at a crime
scene and provide clues like the number of suspects and
their possible identi cation. 👣

4. Teeth Marks
• Bite marks on victims or food items (like fruits) could help
identify the criminal by matching dental records. 🦷 🍏

5. Impressions (Tire/Track Marks)

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 • Tire marks or other track impressions could identify a
vehicle used in the crime or a suspect’s movements. 🚗
🛣

6. Documents
• Handwritten or typewritten documents can help identify
the source or determine if they are forged. This includes
paper, ink, and even burnt documents. 📄 ✍

7. Drugs
• Any substance (e.g., powder, pills, or capsules) found in
cases of poisoning, traf cking, or drug-related crimes.
💊🚨

8. Explosives
• Explosive devices or materials from an explosion,
including residues, can help identify the type of explosive
used in the crime. 💥 🔫

9. Fibers and Fabric

• Fibers (natural or synthetic) or fabric pieces can link a
person to a crime, such as clothing bers from a
suspect’s garment. 🧵 👗

10. Firearms and Ammunition

• Weapons, bullets, or ammunition can link a suspect to a
crime, helping experts identify the weapon and ammunition
used. 🔫 💣

11. Glass
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 • Glass particles from windows or objects like vehicles can
be used to link a suspect or victim to the crime scene. 🏚
🪟

12. Hair
• Human or animal hair can link a person to the crime, for
example, through DNA analysis. 🧑🦱 🧑⚖

13. Viscera
• Body organs or uids (like blood) can be tested for
poison or drugs to help identify causes of death or foul
play. 🧪 💀

14. Paint
• Paint found on a suspect’s clothes or at the crime scene
can link them to a vehicle or building involved in the
crime. 🎨 🚗

15. Petroleum Products

• Petroleum products (like petrol, kerosene) found on a
suspect or at a crime scene can be identi ed and traced.
⛽🚨

16. Stains and Powder Residues

• Chemical stains, cosmetic stains, or rearm discharge
residues can help identify the type of crime or the range
of ring in shooting incidents. 🔬 💥

17. Soil and Minerals

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 • Soil or mineral samples from a crime scene or the
suspect’s clothing can link them to a speci c location. 🌍
🪨

18. Tool Marks

• Impressions left by tools used in the crime, like a hammer
or knife, can link the suspect to the crime scene. 🔨 🗡

19. Wires and Cables

• Copper wires, electric cables, or traction wires can be
traced back to a speci c source or location. ⚡ 🔌

20. Serial Numbers

• Stolen property, like vehicles or rearms, can have
erased serial numbers restored by experts. 🚗 🔢

21. Wood, Pollens, and Other Vegetable Matter

• Wood fragments, sawdust, or pollen found on a
suspect’s clothing, shoes, or vehicle can link them to a
crime scene. 🌳 🍂

Summary

These types of physical evidence are crucial in helping

investigators connect a suspect to a crime by using scienti c
techniques like DNA analysis, ngerprint matching, and
forensic tests. Whether it’s blood, bers, or even paint,
physical evidence is vital for solving crimes and proving guilt or
innocence.

Location of Physical Evidence at the Crime Scene

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 Each crime scene is unique, which means that the physical
evidence found at each scene will also be different. 🕵 🔎 The
key is that the search for evidence must be careful and
organized, based on the type of crime and the scene.

• Every Crime Scene is Different:

The physical nature of the scene, like whether it’s a house, a
street, or a vehicle, affects where the evidence might be
found. For example, in a murder scene, there might be blood
or weapons, while in a robbery, there might be ngerprints
or footprints. 🏠 🚗

• Systematic Search:
To nd physical evidence, investigators need a careful,
methodical approach. This involves:
1. Assessing the scene and understanding the type of
crime.
2. Making a plan for where to search, based on the nature
of the crime.
3. Checking the obvious places (e.g., near the victim, or
around the weapon), and then looking at less obvious
places (e.g., behind furniture, in corners, or outside the
scene). 🏙 🔍

• What to Search For:

The types of evidence to search for depend on the
circumstances. For example:
• In a burglary, you might look for broken windows,
footprints, or tools used in the crime.
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 • In a violent crime, you may look for bloodstains,
weapons, or clothing bers. 🩸 🔪

• The Role of the Investigator:

A trained investigator needs an inquisitive mind and a sharp
eye to spot important evidence. With experience, they will
know where to look and how to recognize evidence, even if
it’s tiny or hidden. 👀 🧠

Summary

In short, nding physical evidence depends on the type of

crime and the crime scene’s details. Investigators must
conduct a systematic search, focusing on areas most likely to
contain evidence, and using their training and experience to
spot important clues.
Search and Collection of Physical Evidence

The search and collection of physical evidence is a critical

part of an investigation. This step comes after the crime scene
has been photographed and sketched. Here’s how the
process works:

1. Initial Steps

• Documenting the Scene:

The crime scene must rst be photographed and sketched
before any evidence is collected. This ensures that there is a
clear record of where the evidence was found. 📸 📝

• Dealing with Death:

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 If the crime is violent and resulted in death, the evidence on or
near the body must be collected before the body is moved
for autopsy. This includes things like weapons and bodily
uids. ⚰ 🩸

2. Searching for Speci c Evidence

• Violent Crimes:
In cases like assaults, evidence such as blood, esh, or
weapons left by the victim or assailant must be located. 🔪
💥

• Burglary:
For burglary cases, investigators should focus on the point of
entry, looking for tool marks or tools used to break in. 🏠 🔑

• Microscopic Evidence:
Small pieces of evidence (like hairs, glass fragments, wood
chips, dust, and soil) should be collected carefully using
forceps. These items might be invisible at rst, but they can
be crucial in linking a suspect to a crime. 🪡 🔬

• Fingerprint Search:
Common places for ngerprints are doorknobs, windowsills,
glass panes, or doors. These should be carefully searched
and collected. 🖐 🔍

3. Outdoor Crime Scenes

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• For crimes that happen outdoors, physical evidence such as
footprints, hairs, bers, blood, soil, and tyre marks should
be collected. 🌳 👣

• In hit and run cases, key pieces of evidence are glass,

paint, soil, blood, hair, and fabric. 🚗 💥

4. Evidence in Vehicles

• If the crime occurred in an automobile, investigators should

look for:
• Glass fragments
• Blood
• Semen
• Hairs
• Fibers

• Fingerprints 🏎 🚙

5. Handling, Packing, and Preserving Evidence

Once the physical evidence is collected, it needs to be handled

very carefully:

• Prevent Contamination:
Evidence must be packed in a way that prevents
contamination or breakage, and evaporation should be
avoided. Proper preservation is key. 📦
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 • Crime Scene Evidence Collection Kits:
Investigators often use kits that have tools and materials for
collecting evidence. These kits can include items for handling
things like blood, bers, or broken glass. 🎒 🛠

6. The SVP National Police Academy Kit

One example of such a kit comes from the SVP National

Police Academy. The kit contains ve canvas bags that are
light and easy to carry. Each bag is designed to handle speci c
tasks and types of evidence.

Summary

In short, collecting evidence is a methodical process that

requires careful planning and the right tools. The investigator
must be able to spot important evidence, such as blood, bers,
or ngerprints, and collect it in a way that preserves its
integrity for further analysis. This is vital for solving crimes and
ensuring the truth comes to light. 🕵 💡

Handling of Physical Evidence

Handling physical evidence requires great care and attention to

avoid contamination or damage. The key to ensuring that
evidence is useful is following these guidelines:

1. General Handling Guidelines

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 • Don’t Rush: Don’t pick up items immediately when you arrive
at the crime scene. First, assess the situation, take photos,
and make sketches. 📸 📝

• Use Gloves: Always wear rubber gloves when handling any

evidence to prevent contamination. 🧤

• Handle Evidence Carefully: Touch the evidence as little as

possible to avoid damaging or losing any crucial clues. 🖐 💔

• Avoid Destroying Evidence: Be careful not to accidentally

destroy or alter evidence. 🛑 ⚠

• Maintain Original Integrity: Make sure the evidence remains

in its original form, ensuring it is unaltered for proper
analysis. 🏷

• Chain of Custody: Always maintain a clear chain of

possession for the evidence. This means documenting who
handled the evidence at each step. 🔗 📑

2. Speci c Handling Instructions for Different Items

• Flat Objects (like wood or glass):

Only handle the edges of at objects to avoid touching areas
that might contain ngerprints or other evidence. 🌿 📏

• Bottles and Glass Containers:

Handle the rim and bottom of bottles or containers using a
single nger to avoid touching areas that may have been
used by others. 🍶
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 • Knives or Daggers:
Handle the handle tips and blade tips using only your index
ngers to avoid contaminating or damaging the knife. 🔪

• Firearms:
Use nger tips to hold the ends of the barrel and butt of the
gun, avoiding areas that might contain prints. 🔫

• Fired Projectiles (bullets):

Use rubber-tipped forceps to handle projectiles carefully
without leaving marks. 🧲

• Small Objects (hair, bers, glass pieces):

Use forceps to handle small, delicate items. 🦠 🔬

• Dust or Powdered Evidence:

Collect it using a brush or, if available, a vacuum cleaner to
ensure the particles are carefully gathered without being
disturbed. 🌪

• Explosives and Bombs:

Never touch explosives unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe.
They can be highly dangerous! 💥 ⚠

• Liquids (Blood, Semen, Vomit, etc.):

Use a spoon to collect liquid evidence, ensuring that nothing is
spilled or contaminated. 🥄 🩸

Summary
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When handling physical evidence, it’s vital to follow these
guidelines to preserve its integrity and usefulness. Always wear
gloves, handle the evidence with care, and ensure accurate
documentation of the chain of possession. By being
thorough and cautious, you can make sure that the evidence
remains reliable for further investigation and court proceedings.
💼🧰

Packing and Labelling of Evidence

Packing and labelling evidence is very important to ensure its

safety and integrity during transport to the lab or court. Here’s
how you should handle it: 📦 🧳

1. Packing the Evidence

• Protection: Ensure that the evidence inside the package is

well padded (using cotton, foam, Thermocol, etc.) so that it
doesn’t get damaged during transport. 🛡

• Separate Packing: Pack each item individually to make sure

its identity and individuality are maintained. 🧳 🎯

• Secure Packing: The packing should be secure so nothing

can penetrate or contaminate the evidence inside. 🌟 🛑

• Group Packaging: If the items are from the same case, try to
pack them in one larger box to keep things organized. But if
the items are very different in size, they can be packed
separately. 📦
 • Don’t Mix Cases: Different cases should never share the
same parcel. Each case needs its own package. ⚖

• Prevent Contact: Make sure that delicate items (like

ngerprint evidence) do not touch other items or the sides
of the package. 🔬

• Clean Packaging: Always use clean containers to prevent

contamination. 🧼 🧴

• No Spillage: Ensure that lids and stoppers t properly so

the evidence doesn’t spill out. 🛑

• Strong Containers: The container should be strong enough

to avoid breaking or damage during transit. 💪

2. Labeling the Evidence

• Proper Labeling: Labels should be clearly marked and

numbered with the signature of the forwarding of cer and
the date. This makes it easy to track the evidence. 🏷

• No Labels on Sensitive Areas: Do not place labels on

weapons, tools, or clothing that might have stains like
blood, as it can damage the evidence. ❌ 🩸

• Top of the Box: Always mark which side is the top of the box.
Also, write “Handle with Care” on the top so that it is treated
gently. 🎁

• Special Delivery: Send the evidence through a special

messenger if possible. If sending by post, make sure it’s well
addressed, labeled, and insured for safety. 📬 🛡
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• Follow Postal Rules: Keep in mind postal regulations when
sending dangerous items like rearms or explosives. 📬 ⚠

Summary

Proper packing and labeling of evidence is essential to

prevent damage, contamination, and loss. By following these
steps, you help maintain the integrity of the evidence for court
proceedings and investigations. Make sure everything is
secure, clean, and properly labeled so it can be easily tracked
and examined. 🔐 ⚖

Sealing of Evidence 🔒

Sealing is a critical process to ensure the integrity of the

evidence and to prevent tampering during transport. Here’s how
it should be done:

1. Seal the Parcel: All parcels containing evidence should be

carefully sealed by the of cer in charge. The seal should
be applied in such a way that opening it without damaging
the seal is impossible. 🛑 📦

2. Seal the Knots: If there are any knots, they should also be
sealed to ensure no tampering occurs. 🪢 🔐

3. Legible Seal Impression: The impression of the seal

should be clear and legible, so it can be easily veri ed. 🖋

4. Safe Custody of the Seal: The seal should always be kept

in the safe custody of the of cer dispatching the parcel to
prevent misuse. 🔒
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 5. Type of Seal: The seal used can be either private or
of cial, but it must never be an impression of keys, coins,
buttons, etc. ⚠

6. Facsimile of the Seal: Always send a copy of the seal

(facsimile) along with the forwarding letter for reference. 📝

Forwarding the Evidence ✉

Once the evidence is packed and sealed, it needs to be

forwarded to the expert for examination. Here’s how you should
handle the forwarding process:

1. Forwarding Letter: A letter of advice should be sent to the

expert separately. This letter should be sent through
registered post or a special messenger, and it must be
sealed to maintain security. 📬

2. Enclose Letter in Parcel: A copy of the forwarding letter

should be included in the parcel with the evidence to
maintain the link between the evidence and the case. 📑

3. Details in the Forwarding Letter: The forwarding letter

should contain the following information:
• Name of the police station, district, and state.
• Crime register number and the relevant section of law.
• Brief facts of the case, including where and how the
evidence was seized.
• Description of articles in each packet.
• Nature of examination required for the evidence.
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 • Forwarding note of the of cer sending the evidence.
• Name of the investigating of cer handling the case.
• Facsimile of the seals used on the parcel.
• Identi cation particulars of the messenger carrying the
parcel.
• Certi cate of authority to examine the evidence.

Note:

Proformas for forwarding articles, labels, and certi cates for

examination can be found at the end of this chapter.

Summary:
Sealing and forwarding evidence carefully ensures that it
remains untampered and that the link between the evidence
and the crime is maintained. Always make sure to follow the
correct procedures to protect the integrity of the evidence.

Chain of Evidence 🔗

The chain of evidence is a critical process that ensures

evidence remains uncontaminated and admissible in court. It
refers to maintaining a record of every item of evidence from its
discovery at the crime scene to its nal submission in court.
Here’s how it works:

1. Record Every Step: Every article of evidence must be

documented from the moment it’s found at the crime scene.
This includes its collection, transport to the laboratory,
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 temporary storage, and nal submission to the court. 📜
🕵

2. Systematic Record Keeping: A detailed record must be

kept of everyone who handles the evidence. This includes
their names, initials, date, and time of receiving and
delivering the evidence. This record creates a traceable
path for the evidence. 🗂 🕒

3. Responsibility of Custodians: Each person in the chain of

custody is responsible for the care and preservation of the
evidence while it is in their control. They ensure that the
evidence is not tampered with or lost. 🔐 👮

4. Inadmissible Without Proper Chain: If there is no clear

chain of evidence, the evidence can be inadmissible in
court. This means that the court may refuse to accept it as
part of the case, which can weaken the investigation. ⚖ ❌

In short, the chain of evidence helps ensure that the evidence

presented in court is the same as what was originally
collected and has not been tampered with. It keeps the
evidence secure and its integrity intact for the trial.

🔦 Use of Ultra Violet (UV) Light in

Forensics 🔍
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 UV light is a special type of light that helps detect
hidden evidence at crime scenes. It makes
certain materials glow ( uoresce), revealing
clues that are invisible to the naked eye.

📌 Uses of UV Light in
Forensics:

✔ Blood & Body Fluids Detection 🩸

💧 – Helps nd hidden blood, saliva, sweat,
or urine stains at crime scenes.
✔ Fingerprint Enhancement 🖐 🔍
– Makes faint or invisible ngerprints visible on
surfaces.
✔ Forgery & Document Veri cation
📝 🔦 – Detects fake currency, altered
documents, and hidden security marks.
✔ Gunshot Residue & Explosives 🔫 💥 –
Identi es traces of gunpowder or
explosive materials.
✔ Fiber & Hair Analysis 🧥 🦱 –
Makes tiny fabric bers and hair strands glow for easier
identi cation.
✔ Invisible Ink & Secret Writings ✉ 🖋 – Reveals hidden
messages written in special inks.

⚖ Importance in Crime Investigation:

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UV light helps forensic experts nd evidence quickly without
damaging it, making it a powerful tool in solving crimes! 🚔 🕵
✨

💊 Ecstasy (Drug) – MDMA

📌 What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy (MDMA) is a synthetic psychoactive drug that

affects mood and perception. It is commonly used as a party
drug because it creates feelings of energy, happiness, and
emotional closeness. However, it is illegal in most countries
due to its harmful effects.

🚀 Effects of Ecstasy:

✔ Euphoria & Increased Energy 🎉

✔ Enhanced Emotions & Sensory Perception ❤ 👀
✔ Distorted Time Perception ⏳
✔ Increased Heart Rate & Body Temperature 🔥 💓

⚠ Dangers & Side Effects:

❌ Dehydration & Overheating 🌡 🥵

❌ Anxiety, Depression & Confusion 😟
❌ Hallucinations & Paranoia 👀 🌀
❌ Heart & Kidney Problems 🏥
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 ⚖ Legal Status:

🚫 Illegal in most countries due to its addictive and harmful

effects.

🔬 Forensic Importance:

👮 Used in drug testing & crime investigations to track

illegal drug traf cking and abuse. 🚔 🔍

🌀 Perception & Drugs (Like Ecstasy):

Drugs like Ecstasy (MDMA) change perception, making

colors seem brighter, music more intense, or time feel slower or
faster. This is why they are called hallucinogenic or
psychoactive drugs. 🚀 🔮

🔫 Ballistics – The Science of

Firearms & Bullets
📌 What is Ballistics?

Ballistics is the study of rearms, bullets, and their

movement. It helps forensic experts understand how a gun
was red, the type of weapon used, and the impact of bullets on
targets.
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 🔍 Types of Ballistics:

1⃣ Internal Ballistics 🔥 – What happens inside the gun when

a bullet is red (gunpowder explosion, bullet acceleration).
2⃣ External Ballistics 🎯 – How the bullet travels through the
air (speed, direction, wind effects).
3⃣ Terminal Ballistics 💥 – What happens when the bullet hits
a target (damage to body or objects).
4⃣ Forensic Ballistics 🕵 – Identifying guns, bullets, and
matching them to crime scenes.

⚖ Importance in Crime Investigations:

✔ Helps identify the rearm used in a crime. 🔫

✔ Matches bullets and shell casings to a speci c gun. 🏹
✔ Determines shooting distance and angle. 📏
✔ Examines gunshot residue (GSR) to check if someone
red a gun. 💥

Ballistics is key to solving gun-related crimes! 🚔 🔎

TBRL

in Forensics 🔍 ⚖ – Simple & Clear Explanation

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TBRL (Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory) helps police
and forensic teams investigate crimes involving guns, bullets,
and explosions. It uses science to analyze weapons,
ammunition, and blast effects to solve criminal cases.

TBRL (Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory) helps police

and forensic teams analyze guns, bullets, and explosions to
solve crimes.

How It Helps?

🔫 Gun & Bullet Analysis – Identi es which weapon was used

in a crime.
💥 Explosive Investigation – Examines bomb blasts and
explosive materials.
🩸 Crime Scene Reconstruction – Recreates shooting or
explosion incidents.
🛡 Weapon & Armor Testing – Tests rearms, ammunition,
and protective gear.
⚖ Court Evidence – Provides scienti c reports and expert
testimony in legal cases.

✅ TBRL helps catch criminals, solve cases, and improve

police investigations! 🚔

Example of TBRL in Forensics 🔍 ⚖

🔫 Case: Murder by Gunshot

A person is found dead with a bullet wound. The police recover
a bullet from the crime scene but no weapon.
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🕵 How TBRL Helps:
✅ Examines the bullet to nd out which type of gun red it.
✅ Matches the bullet with a weapon if one is found later.
✅ Determines the shooting distance and angle.
✅ Analyzes gunpowder residue on the victim or suspect.
✅ Provides a forensic report for court evidence.

💡 Outcome:
With TBRL’s ndings, police con rm the murder weapon and
identify the shooter, leading to their arrest. 🚔 🔎

Forgery in Forensics 🔍 ✍

Forgery is the act of faking, altering, or creating false

documents, signatures, currency, or artworks to deceive
others. In forensics, experts use scienti c methods to detect
forgeries and prove authenticity.

Types of Forgery:

📝 Document Forgery – Fake signatures, altered contracts, or

fake IDs.
💰 Currency Forgery – Counterfeit money production.
🎨 Art Forgery – Fake paintings or sculptures sold as
originals.
🔬 Digital Forgery – Fake emails, manipulated images, or
deepfakes.
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How Forensics Detects Forgery?

🔍 Handwriting Analysis – Compares genuine vs. fake

signatures.
💡 Ink & Paper Examination – Identi es age, type, and origin
of materials.
🔎 UV & Infrared Scanning – Detects hidden alterations in
documents.
💻 Digital Forensics – Analyzes manipulated documents,
emails, or images.
🖨 Printing Pattern Study – Checks for fake stamps, seals, or
banknotes.

Example Case:

A suspect presents a fake property document in court.

Forensic experts analyze signatures, ink, and paper, proving
it was recently forged. The accused is caught and charged! 🚔
⚖

Forensic forgery detection is key in solving fraud, nancial

crimes, and identity theft! 🔎

📸 Photography in Police Work 🚔 🔍

Police use photography to capture crime scenes, collect

evidence, and solve cases. Proper scaling (measuring) and
labeling (marking) help make photos more useful in
investigations and court.
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📸 Why is Photography Important?

🔎 Crime Scene Photos – Capture details before the scene

changes.
🩸 Evidence Photos – Show bloodstains, ngerprints,
weapons, etc.
🚗 Accident Photos – Help understand how accidents
happened.
⚖ Court Proof – Photos are strong evidence in trials.
👀 Finding Suspects – Helps identify criminals and missing
people.

📏 What is Scaling & 📌 Labeling?

📏 Scaling (Measuring Evidence)

• A ruler or measuring scale is placed next to objects.

• Helps know the size of footprints, wounds, bullets,
weapons, etc.

📌 Labeling (Marking Evidence)

• Objects are marked with numbers or letters to identify

them.
• Labels include case details, date, and place to avoid
confusion.
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📝 Examples:

✅ Example 1: Theft Case

A shoe print is found at a robbery scene.

• A ruler is placed beside the print. 📏

• A label is added to mark its position. 📌

• The print is compared to the suspect’s shoe. 👞

✅ Example 2: Murder Case

A bloody knife is found.

• A scale is placed next to the knife to measure it. 🔪 📏

• A label with case details is added. 📌

• The knife photo is used as evidence in court. ⚖

📸 Conclusion

Proper photos with scaling & labeling help police solve

crimes, catch criminals, and prove cases in court! 🚔 🔍
🔍
🚔 Scene of Crime (SOC) 🔍

The Scene of Crime (SOC) is the exact location where a

crime has occurred. It is the most important place for police
and forensic experts to collect evidence, analyze clues, and
reconstruct the crime.

🔍 Types of Crime Scenes

1⃣ Primary Crime Scene – The main location where the

crime took place.
📌 Example: A house where a murder happened.

2⃣ Secondary Crime Scene – Any other place related to the

crime.
📌 Example: A car where a kidnapped victim was transported.

3⃣ Macroscopic Crime Scene – A large area with multiple

pieces of evidence.
📌 Example: A bomb blast site.

4⃣ Microscopic Crime Scene – A small, speci c area with

important evidence.
📌 Example: A bloodstain on a carpet.

📸 Importance of the Crime Scene

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✅ First-hand Evidence – The crime scene provides physical
proof like ngerprints, weapons, and blood samples.
✅ Helps in Reconstruction – Investigators recreate how the
crime happened.
✅ Leads to the Suspect – Clues like footprints, mobile
phones, and DNA help catch criminals.
✅ Strong Court Evidence – Properly collected evidence
strengthens the case in court.

🕵 Steps in Crime Scene Investigation

1⃣ Securing the Scene – Police block off the area to protect

evidence. 🚔 🚧
2⃣ Photography & Sketching – Investigators take photos
and make sketches of the crime scene. 📸 📝
3⃣ Collecting Evidence – Experts collect ngerprints, blood
samples, weapons, and bers. 🩸 🔫
4⃣ Labeling & Packaging – Each item is tagged, sealed, and
sent to the forensic lab. 📌 🔬
5⃣ Analyzing & Reporting – Scientists study the evidence and
give reports to the police. 📑

📌 Example: Theft Case

A jewelry shop is robbed.

✅ CCTV footage shows the thief’s face. 🎥
✅ Fingerprints on the glass counter match a suspect. 🖐
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✅ A shoe print outside the shop matches the suspect’s shoe.
👣

📢 Result: The thief is caught using scienti c evidence from

the crime scene! 🚔 ⚖

📸 Conclusion

A crime scene is the key to solving a case! Proper

investigation, evidence collection, and analysis help police
catch criminals and deliver justice. 🔎 🚔

G) Discuss ngerprint( their classi cation, types of ngerprints,

Recording of ngerprints and its MLI.

🔍 Fingerprints: A Key to Identity 🖐

Fingerprints are unique patterns on the tips of our ngers. No
two people, even twins, have the same ngerprints! They are
used for identi cation in criminal investigations, security
systems, and personal veri cation.

📌 Classi cation of Fingerprints

Fingerprints are classi ed based on their patterns and

uniqueness:
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1⃣ Latent Prints 🔦 – Invisible to the naked eye; found on
surfaces like glass, metal, or paper. These need dusting,
chemicals, or UV light to be seen.

2⃣ Patent Prints 🖋 – Visible prints left by ngers covered in

blood, ink, grease, or dirt on surfaces.

3⃣ Plastic Prints 🏺 – Impressions left on soft materials like

wax, soap, or wet paint.

🌀🌀 Types of Fingerprint Patterns (Short

Explanation)

1⃣ Arch 🌊 – The ridges ow from one side to

the other without looping back.
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 • Simple Arch – Smooth wave-like ridges.
• Tented Arch – Ridges rise sharply,
forming a peak.

2⃣ Loop 🔄 – Ridges enter from one side,

curve, and exit from the same side.

• Ulnar Loop – Opens toward the little

nger.
• Radial Loop – Opens toward the thumb.

3⃣ Whorl 🎯 – Circular or spiral ridges,

forming closed patterns.

• Plain Whorl – A simple circular or spiral

pattern.
• Central Pocket Whorl – A whorl pattern
with a smaller, tighter center.
• Double Loop Whorl – Two looping
ridges forming an “S” shape.

Each ngerprint type is unique and helps in

criminal identi cation and security
veri cation! 🔍🕵
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📸 Recording of Fingerprints

Fingerprints are recorded for identi cation and investigation

purposes. Methods include:

📌 Ink Method 🖋 – Fingers are dipped in ink and pressed on

paper.
📌 Live Scan 📱 – Digital ngerprint scanners capture prints
electronically.
📌 Powder & Lifting 🔦 – For latent prints, ngerprint powder
is applied, and prints are lifted using tape.
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📌 Chemical Methods 🧪 – Used on porous surfaces like
paper, using ninhydrin or cyanoacrylate (super glue)
fuming.

⚖ Uses of Fingerprints (MU - Medico-Legal

Uses) 🕵

✔ Criminal Investigations 🔍 – Helps identify suspects and

link them to crime scenes.
✔ Security & Identi cation 🔑 – Used in biometric systems
(Aadhaar, passports, of ce attendance).
✔ Missing Person Cases 🆘 – Fingerprint records help nd
missing persons.
✔ Forensic Evidence 🏛 – Strong evidence in court to prove
identity.
✔ Banking & Digital Transactions 💰 – Used in ngerprint
✔ authentication for mobile payments and banking.

✨ Fun Fact: Your ngerprints never change throughout your

life! Even if you get a cut, the ridges grow back in the same
pattern.

Fingerprints are one of the strongest pieces of evidence in

solving crimes! 🕵 🔬 ⚖
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