Crime Term Papers - Role and Impact of Criminal Investigations

The criminal investigation is aimed at looking for the techniques used by the criminals to commit a crime beside the grounds and the reasons. This also involves confirming the right criminals and victims through exploring and interrogating the witnesses. By using various methods it is ensured that correct identification of a criminal is made who has committed an offense. Some time criminal’s leave behind no convincing indication, which is used to identify the technique used by the criminal. The skilled and professional criminals have a tendency to follow a definite technique, committing the offence at certain types of place and with specific style leaving behind a certain trademark. In such cases the criminal-investigation departments work on the basis of the accumulated data, and have ready access to such public records. Information flows in to the investigating agencies more or less continuously. Electronic-surveillance methods have become extremely important, though subject to legal restraints. Interrogation of suspects is one of the most important functions of criminal investigation.

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This proceeding is delicate because a confession gained in violation of the suspect's rights and can be rejected in court. The most recent and the scientific investigating methods are now being used including use of the polygraph, or lie detector that is also subject to extensive courtroom restrictions. The criminal investigation is also assisted by the crime laboratories that are equipped to deal with a wide range of physical evidence by means of chemical and other analysis. The techniques of identification, especially fingerprinting, and more recently voice printing and even “DNA Test” have become eminent in modern investigation. Photography and photomicrography, document examination, ballistics, and other scientific techniques are also standard crime-laboratory tools. Forensic analysis of blood and urine identify the traces of chemical substances in bodily organs of homicide victims.

Roles of Scientific Investigations
Scientific investigation has a major role in controlling the crimes and confirming the correct criminals. With the development of science and technology the patterns of societies have also transformed to manage the day-to-day expansion. Accordingly the criminals also change their techniques for commission of various crimes within therefore it becomes a problem for the law enforcing agencies to prove the potentiality of crimes. For such verification the need of scientific investigation becomes an essential requirement on the part of the investigative agencies. The forensic science is the most important way of today’s investigations. The function of forensic science is primarily the use of procedures and methods of basic science techniques and methods of basic science for various analysis of exhibits associated with crimes. Ever since it’s commencement the scientists of the Forensic Science have been rendering very useful service to the investigating agencies in various ways for the cause of justice.

The scientific investigation by the forensic scientist primarily connects a missing link or reinforces a weak link in the chain of investigation by providing unbiased and established evidence, thereby facilitating the court to come to a just conclusion regarding the criminals and their punishments. The field of investigation of forensic science is very broad, diverse and volatile. Usually the scientific investigations are very difficult because the material pertaining to various nature of crimes such as murder, rape, blood, saliva, firearms, ammunitions, explosives, and explosives substances, liquor, hashish, opium, adulterated petrol, kerosene, diesel, etc are to be analyzed and studied. The investigation through the scientific methods also involves study of the vehicles used in crimes, various types of chemicals used. The analysis also includes the, Weapons used in crimes like murders, burglary, arson, etc, different types of poisons and poisons and poisonous substances, hair, skeletal remains and other plant or animal remnants. Aside from these, through forensic science the examination of the forged signatures and documents along with the photographic analysis of all materials exhibits can also be made. Any material exhibit coming across in the way of investigation needs to be thoroughly examined to establish or refute its involvement in a particular crime or criminal. Virtually the scientific investigations are to examine the material exhibits linked with different types of crimes covered under relevant acts and laws of the land. [Dr. K. N. Chakravarty]

For better investigations of exhibits the f scientists related to forensic analysis are frequently summoned to the scene of crime so as to assist the other investigation agencies in determining clue by means of scientific analysis. Generally the material exhibits which are obtained at the scene of crime are analyzed by scientists who carry out comparative studies of various impressions and marks of tools, blood stains, weapons found etc. Determination of marks of shoes, tyre is also determined by the scientist. Analysis of paints and glass articles, stamp impressions of forest authorities can also be made by these scientists to establish the facts for the determination of clues of commission of crimes and criminals. Scientist of forensic chemistry also determines the clues of crime and detection of criminals by their various methods of analysis. For instance, the forensic chemist who determines purity of petrol, diesel and kerosene also determines the quality of liquor, opium, drugs and other chemicals besides carrying out analysis of explosive. From various methods of analysis, the facts, which are found, make the basis upon which the investigating officers can detect the clues of a particular crime and can reach to the criminal easily.

Similarly the Forensic biologists have also to play a significant role in examining biological exhibits oriented with crime. It is the biologist who has to analyze the microorganism to a higher plant or an animal and also their parts and products. From the skeletal remains, a biologist has to determine the sex, origin, stature, and age of the deceased. The identification is made from the skull by using superimposition method and thereby helps the investigating authority in coming to a conclusion with the regard to a particular crime. In case of a suspected death case, the biologist is to ascertain the cause of death. The analysis of various poisonous plant materials is also made in cases where plant poison is administered in the committing the crimes. Likewise the role of a serologist is equally significant in establishing facts in respect of a murder where knife and other weapons are involved, it is the serologist who is to determine whether the exact weapon is stained with human blood or not. The conclusions of serologist, suggest to the investigating officer to obtain a specific evidence in a particular case, depending on which the investigating officer can identify the culprit of the crime. It is the serologist who is to ascertain the facts of doubtful parenthood cases by testing the blood group in question. [Dr. K. N. Chakravarty]

In the chain of scientific investigations is the ballistic expert is who ascertains whether a particular firearm was used or not while committing a crime. Examining the types of fire arms and ammunitions used in commission of a crime is the task of ballistics expert who has to establish the facts with regard to firing ranges, distance, direction, and angle of firing. After obtaining the opinion of a ballistic specialist the investigating officers can come to a logical conclusion in respect of a particular crime. Apart from the different firearms and ammunitions a ballistic expert is also to examine the explosive substance, which are nowadays very often used for committing heinous crimes. The toxicologist determines the evidence of the crime in which poison is used. In any such case, a toxicologist analyses the viscera and other relevant materials from which he establishes the quality and quantity of poison used. From the report of a toxicologist, the investigating officer can usually obtain vital clues for detecting the criminals involved.

The forensic scientist by the vary nature of the work is duty bound for the establishment of justice for the society. As a matter of fact forensic scientists are playing a vital role in dropping the possible crimes and also in determining the root causes of crime in our society. Further the handwriting experts obtain handwriting samples from suspected writers and compares them with questioned writing to determine if the same person wrote both documents. They examine typewriting and other evidence involving mechanical printing or copying processes to identify their source. Conduct analysis of stamps and impressions, paper, ink, and other documentary evidence to establish the authenticity of the contested document, approximate the date of production, or to distinguish multiple writing instruments. Decipher typewriter ribbons; enhances faint impressions; restores obliterated information; determines page substitutions; reconstructs torn documents; visualizes and preserves latent indentations.
Impacts of Scientific Investigations The scientific and modern technique has helped the society in many ways and has had impacts both on society and criminals.

• Apprehending Criminals Of Old Cases
The criminals are also aware of the correctness and precision of the scientific analysis of the clues and this has made them think twice before committing the crime. The forensic analysis has helped solve the very old cases of crimes. This was the scientific analysis that helped Santa Fe, N.M., investigators determine the 1997 rape of then 16-year-old Kelley Hollingsworth, by relating past milkman Toby Griego to the crime through DNA evidence found in his car. Parts of clothing were found in Griego's car, which was first confiscated and Hollingsworth's wallet and purse were found in the car in 1998 [Pawloski, Jeremy].

• Effective Planning
The scientific investigations have assisted the police department to plan the potential crimes very efficiently. The data collected in form of the analysis by the forensic scientists can be made use of for future studies and take effective preventive measures for reduction of the crime. The techniques used by the criminals can be helpful to promote safety measures for the education of public. The collected data makes the tasks of the agencies easy in having an effective check over their area of responsibility. Knowledge of the types of people who commit crimes is generally based on studies of those who have been detected, prosecuted, and convicted. The scientific analysis of all such criminals is vital to control the crimes in society.
 

• Increase in Efficiency
A broad range of the prevailing scientific techniques, which are available to law enforcement agencies have enhanced their ability of attempting to identify suspects or to establish beyond doubt the connection between a suspect and the crime in question. The analysis of bloodstains and traces of other body fluids such as semen or spittle point out some of the characteristics of the offender. Fibers found are analyzed by microscopy or chemical analysis to confirm, that fibers found on the victim or at the scene of the crime are alike to those in the clothing of the suspect. Hair samples, and particularly skin cells attached to hair roots, can be compared chemically and genetically to those of the suspect. This has certainly promoted the ability of the investigating agencies to make the justice possible. Many inorganic substances, such as glass, paper, and paint, which yield considerable information under microscopic or chemical analysis.
 

Conclusion
Crime has become as complex as human nature. The requirements of the investigations have also diversified. Modern technological development and marvelous progress in communication have facilitated criminals of every corner of the world to commit a crime with the use of sophisticated equipment in one part of the world and then escape to another place. This has raised the need to have more effective methods of crime control and investigations The present day world faces the severe problem of illicit drug trafficking, smuggling, hijacking, kidnapping, terrorism beside domestic crimes. In spite of vigorous and intense national and international efforts towards combating such crime, these are rapidly growing in various forms. The solution lies in adopting of effective scientific crime investigating methods besides taking preventive measures. The crimes have adversely affected the societies of both developed as well as developing countries by impairing the quality of life, threatening human rights and fundamental freedom and posing a serious challenge to the community.