Monday, April 1, 2002		Article

Tracking criminals with PCs
Sumesh Raizada

WHILE watching a detective film or reading a crime related story, one might wonder how detectives or crime investigators are able to solve the cases simply on the basis of some raw evidences like hair, teeth, nails, drop of blood, saliva or decomposed bodies. These professionals work precisely and scientifically with the evidence gathered from the scene of crime and on the basis of analysis, try to simulate the actual event that would have earlier occurred. They are called Forensic Experts, who assist the investigating agencies in finding out the vital clues and perform laboratory testing of sample collected from the scene of crime. Their analysis plays a vital role in solving the crime mysteries and finding out the culprits even after years of actual crime. These professionals reach the scene of crime, collect and analyse the minutest details that could have relevance in the investigation. Thus the importance of the Forensic professionals in criminal investigation is sometimes much more than the actual investigating officer.

Forensic science is basically the application of scientific disciplines like Biology, Chemistry and Medicine to Law. With the development of advanced IT and scientific investigating tools, forensic science is gradually becoming more technology oriented nowadays. As the crime is increasing at an enormous rate especially in large metropolitan towns, there is an immense pressure on the investigating agencies to solve the cases and catch the culprits within a reasonable time. Almost every private or government agencies are now hiring the services of qualified forensic professionals in solving the complex cases. The rewards in terms of salaries or consultation charges are enormous for the experts and hence forensic sciences is becoming a lucrative career option among the aspirants.

Forensic scientists take samples of body fluids, glass, fibres, footwear, drugs, etc. from the scene of crime and analyse them. They present the results of their examination in the form of a written report. The analysis is mostly carried out through computer-aided testing tools and machines. The analysed report is presented in court as evidence and many times, in the absence of other evidences, judgment is given on the basis of these crucial forensic reports. The IT-proficient forensic experts are required to perform evidence collection and handling of laboratory instruments, crime mapping with the help of GIS, digital imaging and enhancement. Forensic science also includes disciplines like firearms, toolmark identification, personal identification, forensic photography, crime scene processing, etc.

Keeping in view the growing demand among the prospective forensic professionals, several universities within and outside India are conducting graduate as well as postgraduate courses on the forensic sciences and crime scene investigation. The working laboratory practitioners, doctors and law enforcement officers can also join these courses and enhance their career potential. Many universities are now offering IT-enabled forensic courses, considering the immense utility offered by computers and Internet.

While computers not only help in laboratory investigation of vital evidences, they assist forensic experts in tracking the identity of suspects or victims by simulating the photographs or events. DNA analysis of hair, teeth or blood, chemical analysis of saliva, perspiration, fabric, paint, study of finger, tyre or shoe impressions and analysis of voice or sound. Investigating laboratories develop and maintain computer data bank of fingerprints, photographs, DNA samples and other evidences. These data may be shared between investigating agencies, for tracking down the crime suspect in far off places or countries.

Forensic artists are involved in computer-generated as well as hand-drawn age-progressions for suspect or victim identification. The most common usage for the age-progression is to assist in the capture of wanted criminals. At many times, there are criminals who remain untracable for several years and identity like photographs become outdated. The artist then take into consideration all variables involved with the natural process of ageing of human face. Information is gathered about the suspect or victim, such as lifestyle, genetics, hair loss, and occupations.

By utilising the information and with the help of computer simulation, artists develops a fair sketch of the individual present appearance. For age-progressions, PhotoShop is the most common computer program, which is used to paint directly on a digitised photograph of the suspect. With image enhancement, the artist is able to add features such as eyeglasses, beards, hairstyles and clothes. This process is extremely useful for updating outdated photographs, drawing sketches on the basis of description.

Some of the foreign universities conducting Master of Science course in Forensic are Bournemouth University, UK; Philippine College of Criminology, Manila, Philippines; King's College London; etc. Apart from the above, University of Glasgow, UK also offers Master degree in Clinical Pathology & Clinical Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Facial Identification, DNA Analysis, Human Identification, etc. Some institutions like Louisiana State University, Northwestern University, University of Louisville; University of Texas offers Undergraduate and Graduate courses in Forensic Odontology. Forensic Digital Imaging course, which is quite popular nowadays covers curriculum on digital imaging system design, Adobe Photoshop, image enhancement, digital photography, legal issues and courtroom testimony. Students are subjected to simulated crime or courtroom environment.

For those within India, several options are available for joining the forensic science courses. Some of the universities that offer postgraduate courses in forensic sciences are Punjabi University, Patiala, which offers a two years course of M.Sc. in Forensic Science. It also offers specialisation in forensic biology, forensic serology, forensic chemistry and forensic toxicology; Sagar University, offers two Masters Degree courses in Criminology as well as in Forensic Science and Forensic Toxicology; University of Madras; Karnataka University, Dharwar; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra; University of Delhi, etc. National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi, conducts training and research programmes as well as diplomas courses in Forensic Sciences for working law enforcement professionals, police officers, forensic scientists and judges. The eligibility criteria for a postgraduate course in forensic sciences in universities is mostly bachelor's degree pure sciences. All India Institute of Medical Sciences also offers Ph.D. in Forensic Sciences and thus an opportunity for more lucrative career options in India as well as abroad. The fields one can specialise in are forensic pathology, entomology, odontology, anthropology, DNA analysis, etc.

A person going in for a career in forensic sciences can work as a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, forensic engineer, technical assistant, computer analyst. The medical examiner are qualified MBBS doctors who perform autopsy on the bodies, forensic odontologist are dentists who work as consultants. Crime Laboratory Analyst generally are involved in DNA testing and chemical analysis. Forensic engineer are those who deal with traffic accidents, fire investigations, and other injury related cases. The forensic engineer, usually possess engineering degree with computer proficiency.

The computer proficiency in all above jobs is must and the professionals are required to be able to work on specialised crime detection software as well as computer-aided laboratory tools. IT professionals are employed by software consulting companies or hardware manufacturing companies for design and development of such tools. They work with government and private investigating agencies or laboratories to assist the medical examiners and crime scene examiner. Apart from the above, career potential exists in universities for teaching and related assignments. Forensic science is a discipline, which requires dedication, responsibility and commitment.

In cases of fraud, cheating or crimes where data or evidence available is stored and protected in computer memory, IT professionals are required for digital evidence recovery, cyber forensics, forensic data analysis and document management services. In digital evidence recovery, sources of evidence that exists only in digital form are located and extracted with the help of specialised software. In cyber forensics and forensic data analysis, the analysis and management of bulk and complex digital data is done.