MP Police trains investigators to make forensic, digital evidence court-ready
Bhopal, Sep 3
The Madhya Pradesh Police is focusing on strengthening the use of forensic and digital evidence in criminal investigations to improve the quality of probes and make evidence more effective in courts.
As part of the initiative, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) conducted a three-day training workshop at the Police Headquarters in Bhopal, which concluded on Thursday.
The training focused on scientific investigation methods, collection and preservation of evidence, crime-scene documentation, digital evidence and the legal requirements for presenting evidence before courts.
CID Special Director General of Police Pankaj Shrivastava said the changing nature of crime required investigators to strengthen their scientific and technical capabilities.
"Crime is becoming increasingly complex and strengthening investigation on scientific and technological lines is the need of the hour," Shrivastava said addressing the concluding session of training camp.
He stressed the need for investigating officers to make practical use of modern equipment provided by the department.
Shrivastava also conducted an interactive session on DNA and digital evidence collection and discussed how officers should handle investigations when a specialist is not available.
The workshop then focused on crime-scene photography and videography, with officers being trained to document evidence in its original condition.
They were briefed on overall, mid-range and close-up photography and the standard procedures for recording dead bodies, weapons, bloodstains, footprints and other physical evidence found at crime scenes.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID), Amitabh Tiwari, explained the technical and legal requirements for using photographic evidence in court.
"Evidence has to be documented in its original condition and in a systematic manner without any alteration," Tiwari said.
He noted that maintaining the chain of custody of photographs and videos was important for establishing their authenticity.
The workshop also covered safeguards to prevent alteration of digital photographs and videos and precautions required while presenting such material before courts.
Experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory and the document, fingerprint, computer and photo branches conducted specialised sessions.
— IANS
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