Relevance of Scientific Investigation of Criminal Cases in Kerala: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

In Criminal Justice System, a Criminal Investigation is the proceedings initiated by the Police to
gather all the information about the crime which has been reported to the Police. This process is
carried out in two steps: i) to identify and to arrest the accused and ii) to conduct search and collect
all the material evidence and produce before the court of law at the time of trial. It is the duty of the
Police to identify and to arrest the accused involved in a crime and adduce evidence before the court.
But it is not so easy in determining a person whether a he is guilt or not. But it can be done with the
application of modern technology. To prosecute a person involved in a crime beyond doubt, there
must be sufficient evidence against the accused to be collected by the Investigation agencies. The
collection, preservation and analysis of material evidences are to be done with utmost care. If the
chain of completion of documentation of evidence is incomplete or inaccurate or omitted, it will
adversely effect the prosecution of the case in the court of law. In order to prevent this, remedial
measures are to be taken by the Government. The Investigating Officer who is the key role player in
every crime cases and he is capable of recognizing, identifying and preserving material evidence from
the scene of crime. The identification process involves collection of information, prioritization and
evaluation. But to provide conviction, it requires physical evidence, witnesses, confession of accused
persons etc. The Physical evidences are the objects found in Crime Scene such as fingerprints, foot
prints, cut marks, tool marks, hand prints, blood stain etc., which are to be collected carefully and
examined using forensic techniques. Lack of evidence causes acquittal of criminals involved in
crimes. In every year, reporting of Criminal cases in Kerala increases alarmingly, but the conviction
rate is not improved as expected. Lapses either in the investigation or by the Prosecution denying
justice to the victims. With the advancement of Modern Technology, Criminals are aware of using
new methods and techniques for committing crimes. On the other hand, the latest forensic
technologies are helping Investigating agencies to find out the criminals and culprits. The research
problem is mainly based on problems in Criminal Investigation with respect to increasing acquittal in
Criminal cases in Kerala and remedial measures to be taken by the Govt. of Kerala by promoting
Forensic Techniques towards making statutory exercise to update the components of administration
of Criminal Justice System with the International standards.