forensic science

BIOMETRICS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION:

Accurate and efficient identification has become a vital requirement for forensic application due to diversities of criminal activities. Recent advancement in biometric technology which is equipped with computational intelligence techniques is replacing manual identification approaches in forensic science.

BIOMETRICS:

A Strong Alternative for Crime Detection Biometrics is one of the most fascinating ways to solve crime. It is an automated way to establish the identity of a person based on his or her physical fingerprint, face, hand/finger geometry, iris, retina, ear, etc.) and behavioural characteristics (signature, voice, gait, odour, etc.)

Biometric technologies find a place in crime

Development of Biometric technology

Applications of Biometrics in Forensic Investigation

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND THEORIES

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

Definitions:

1.  Legal Criminal Behaviour or action that is prohibited by the state and punishable under the Law.

2.  Moral Criminal Behavior refers to an action that violates the norms of religion and morality and is believed to be punishable by a supreme spiritual being.

3.  Social Criminal Behaviour refers to an action that violates the norms of custom and tradition and are punishable by the community.

4.  Psychological Criminal Behaviour that refers to an action that may be rewarding to that actor but inflict pain or loss-on-other it is criminal behaviour that is anti-social behaviour.

WHAT IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR?

Any behaviour that is Criminal Intention.

Mens rea- Guilty Mind/Criminal Intention [that is publicly not acceptable].

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THEORIES

‘Causes of Crime’ there is no one cause of crime.

Crime is a highly complex phenomenon that changes across cultures and across time.

Activities that are legal in one country (alcohol consumption in the UK) are sometimes illegal in others

(e.g.- strict Muslim country).

As culture change over time, behaviour that once was not criminal may become criminalized (and decriminalized again e.g.-alcohol prohibition in the USA).

THEORIES:

(1)   Rational Choice theory- According to this theory crime is a passion of someone and also the individuals not only decide to commit crime, but decide when and where to commit a crime.

  In any course of action, individuals weigh up the likely benefits and disadvantages of each action.

(2)   Social Learning Theory- Social learning theory considers the formation of one’s identity to be a learned response to social stimuli. It emphasizes the societal context of socialization rather than the individual mind.

(3)   Social Control Theory- The social control theory sees crime as a result of social institutions losing control over individuals. Weak an institution such as certain type of families, the breakdown of local communities and breakdown of trust in the Government and police are linked to higher crime rates.

According to Travis Hirschi there are four social bonds that bind us together- Attachment,Commitment, Involvement and Beliefs.

(4)   Tag Theory- Labeling or Tag theory proposes that applying a label, whether that means informally designating a “Bad Kid” or a “Trouble Maker” or more formal arrest or incarceration record, has a longterm effect on a given person.

Policy inspired by  the labelling theory was popular in the 1970s but they were perceived as ineffective and fail out of use, replace by “tough on crime” rational choice approaches.

According to this society treat person as a criminal.

(5)   Social Disorganization Theory- The theory of social disorganization states a person’s physical and social environment are primarily responsible for the behavioural choices that a person makes.

The theory is not been used to explain organized crime, corporate crime or deviant behaviour that takes place outside neighbourhood settings.

(6)   Genetics and Biological Theories- Biological explanation of crime assume that some people are ‘Born criminal’, who are physiological distinct from non-criminals. Biological theories of crime asserted a linkage between certain biological condition and an increasing tendency to engage in criminal behaviour.

VIEW FULL ARTICLE ON THIS LINK :  theory of criminal behaviour

HISTORY OF VARIOUS LABORATORIES IN INDIA

1.           CHEMICAL EXAMINER’S LABORATORIES:

The first chemical examiner laboratory was, therefore, set up for this purpose at the then Madras Presidency, under the department of health, during 1849.

2.          ANTHROPOMTERIC BUREAU:

While some progress was made in the identification of poisons, the identification of people specifically criminal was still being done in a rather haphazard manner.

3.          FINGERPRINT BUREAU:

William Herschel, the collector of the district of Hooghly (Bengal) found that markings on the fingertips of a person never changed during his lifetime.

4.         DEPARTMENT OF EXPLOSIVE:

5.         GOVERNMENT EXAMINER OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT, SHIMLA:

6.          SEROLOGIST TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

7.          FOOTPRINT SECTION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT: 

8.         NOTE FORGERY SECTION IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT:

During 1917, a Note Forgery Section was set up under the CID, Government of Bengal, to undertake the examination of forged currency notes.

9.         BALLISTICS LABORATORY:

10.           SCIENTIFIC SECTION IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION:

11. STATE FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY, CALCUTTA:

The first state forensic science laboratory in India was established in the year 1952 at Calcutta.

12.          CENTRAL FINGERPRINT BUREAU:

13.          CENTRAL FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES: