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New Delhi, January 13, 2000 (Aradhana Kalia), The Hindustan Times
HAD FORENSIC experts visited the scene of the alleged suicide by Suhaib Illiyasi's wife, Anju, the real picture regarding what transpired at the time of the incident would have been clearer. Experts opine that not only in the Illyasi case, but in a large number of cases it would be easier to reach the truth if experienced practitioners of forensic medicine were made part of the first team visiting the scene of crime. Especially in cases where there is a confusion regarding the crime, a forensic expert can prove to be very useful. "If there is an uncertainty about the fact if the incident is a suicide or homicide then the visit of forensic expert is all the more helpful," pointed out a doctor. Findings at the scene of the crime can be corroborated with post mortem results and then a final view can be arrived at", he added. Pointing out that in a police inquest system, as it exists in India, there is no provision for the forensic experts to accompany the team going to the crime spot. "Only in exceptional cases when we request that a visit is specially arranged", said a forensic expert. He added that presence of a forensic expert was important as the police team or the members of the district administration would never be able to notice the details that the former would be able to. For assessing the time of death besides establishing when rigor mortis has set-in it is also essential to see the extent of livo mortis (gravitational accumulation of blood in dependent parts of the body). The position of the body when it is found can also go a long way in understanding the crime. "Often a visit reveals that if the victim had moved around after he or she was attacked," he said. According to him, the blood-stains found at the site can also reveal the positioning of the victim at the time of the attack. " Blood spurting, the manner in which the blood has fallen from the body, can also tell us if the person was standing, sitting or lying down at the time of the assault", he elaborated. Presence of a forensic expert also ensures that the evidence present at the scene of the crime is not destroyed. "How the weapon of offence is removed and how to body is moved are all important", said an expert. Often trace evidence are either ignored or destroyed unknowingly in the absence of a forensic expert. " |
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