Abstract

People's lives have become easier, faster, and more convenient as a result of the rise
of globalisation and the advancement of technology. With the growth of technology,
everything from commercial transactions to education and learning is just a click
away. Moreover, the list doesn't end here; advancements in technology have even
transformed the area of Forensic Science. This has enhanced and expanded the
significance of forensic science in criminal investigation. Because it is a rapidly
evolving discipline, forensic technology can be extremely useful in locating,
identifying, and prosecuting criminals [1]. In the 21st century, forensic technology
plays an increasingly vital role in criminal investigations and the practise of law. To
many people, the phrase "forensics" conjures images of CSI-style procedurals in
which a police detective stumbles upon a speck of evidence that can be used to
positively identify an individual responsible for a crime. This is the popular
perception of police forensics, yet technology breakthroughs have only lately enabled
true police forensics to match what you see on TV [2]. Forensic technology has made
huge advances in the investigation of crimes, and these six innovations are
transforming the way they are handled. A number of references and prospective
outcomes and recommendations are presented through an empirical analysis of the
honourable courts in the well-known case of Gautam Kundu v. West Bengal [3]. An
example of how DNA technology has been recognised by Indian courts in the
investigation of criminal paternity is the Rajiv Gandhi Murder Case [4].

So it can be concluded that the criminals have adopted new tactics and strategies for
committing horrible crimes, while on the other hand, current forensic technologies are
aiding investigators in their efforts to locate the criminals and culprits. In this paper
we will discuss how technology has improved the legal world's ability to perform its
tasks in a more efficient and effective manner [5].

Introduction

Legal aid services are now more efficient than ever before because of new
technologies. Access to justice and the likelihood of a successful prosecution have
both dramatically improved because to advances in forensic technology. Restraining
orders and financial support are legal remedies for domestic violence or intimate
partner violence that affect 38 million women in today's era of increasing crime.
However, the advancement in these forensic technologies has allowed for the
application of the core judicial process and provides valuable support to those who
need it. By providing extensive and in-depth information and tools regardless of the
history of the case, technological advancements are levelling the playing field and
providing more insights, which help persuade judges on the facts of the case and find
legal requirements [1].

Increasing the value of legal aid funding by automating numerous low-value tasks
now handled by lawyers has been achieved through enabling access to justice through
technology. Many non-financial impediments to justice could be addressed with the
help of these new technology. Forensic technology is proving to be advantageous in
enabling access to criminal justice and crime investigation in order to provide legal
aid as the rate of crime rises daily. As a result, methods of analysing and investigating
such crimes should also be quick. It is now possible for lawyers and the legal industry
to perform more effectively and efficiently because of the enhanced productivity[1,6].

In our highly acclaimed legal technology solution, Forensic Technology is an integral

aspect. Even if the truth is more banal, forensic experts conduct priceless work like
correlating evidence from crime scenes, such as fingerprints, injuries and weapons to
offenders' DNA, computers, and other digital data[7].

Methodology

Forensic technology has become the most expedient tool nowadays by being a great
source of providing legal aid. Forensic technology has eradicated almost all the
loopholes to an extent which used to be a time taking process in investigating a
criminal case. The paper identifies the 8 major technologies of forensic science which
have been proved to be most applicable and accessible in resolving many cases. Those
technologies are elaborated underneath :-

1. Touch DNA and DNA Sequencer

2. Portable testing units
3. Drug Testing
4. Magnet Finger Printing Automated Finger Print Identification (AFIS)

5. Drones
6. Google Glass
7. Immunochromatography
8. Finger Print Protection
9. Laser ablation
10. XFT surveillance equipment for digital surveillance
11. Facial Reconstruction

1. Touch DNA and DNA sequencer

DNA has made a significant advancement in the field of forensic science. Objects
touched by a suspect can now yield what is being termed "touch DNA" for law
enforcement. A police officer can collect DNA from the suspect's handprints on a
newspaper if the suspect is being interrogated and happens to pick up a paper from
a table [5].

Using genetic information to connect crime scene evidence with suspects has long
been a goal of forensic experts. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), which contains
the genetic identification code in all life forms but which is enormously varied
between individuals, has been discovered in the last decade and has revolutionised
the scenario and the situation [1,6]. The term "DNA Sequencing" refers to a
technique that can be used to determine the order of the nucleotides in a molecule
of DNA. DNA is a molecule that contains all of an organism's genetic
information, including the blueprints for every gene product's structure. The
genetic inheritance is encoded in the DNA's order basis, which includes the whole
set of instructions. At each repetition of a base in DNA, a chemical mechanism
breaks the terminally labelled DNA molecule in half. The patterns of radioactive
bands can be used to decode the DNA sequence[7]. Forensic and scientific studies
greatly benefit from DNA Sequencing technology. The primary goal of DNA
Sequence generation technology is to examine and analyse the sequencing with
 extremely high precision and dependability. DNA Sequence generation
technology Among the many uses for DNA Sequencing are the following:

1. To investigate the structure and function of any protein.

2. We can learn more about a given sequence's function through the study.
3. Infectious disease-causing genetic sequence.
4. We can detect any mutation instance by comparative DNA sequence
investigation. kinship is determined in this step[8].

Because each person's DNA is unique, DNA sequencing and testing are extremely
effective tools. A comparison of the DNA samples of alleged murderer Dhanu and the
family in the well-known Rajiv Gandhi murder case [9] proved conclusively that she
was responsible for the heinous assault on the prime minister. DNA samples from
Nainasahani and her parents were compared with theTandoor murder case [10], which
is another well-known murder case.

In the case of a serial killer in Louisiana, DNA analysis was utilised to build suspect
pools depending on race. However, DNA evidence from the crime scene indicated
that the offender was of "American Indian descent," indicating that he could not be
classified as "white." Police were still on the hunt for a white male. This mandate is
accompanied by specific allocations of resources for the study of various areas of
DNA sequencing technology's ethical and social consequences of mapping the human
genome at the same time.

2. Portable testing units

Advances in DNA evidence analysis have also been made possible by these
advancements. A portable DNA testing equipment can now provide findings in as
short as 90 minutes for DNA tests that previously required sending to a lab and taking
three to five days to process. As a result, violent crime suspects could be brought to
justice more quickly.

3. Drones

Drones are also contributing to the advancement of police forensics in a significant

way. The most advanced drones now have the ability to capture high-definition video
 from a greater distance than ever before, thanks to new technology. The use of aerial
surveillance allows law enforcement to not only provide up-to-date information to
officers on the ground, but also to provide recordings that will be useful in court if a
riot or protest breaks out or if a suspect with a gun is hiding in an area that is too
dangerous for officers to search [2,11].

4. Google Glass

Law enforcement agencies are developing their own version of Google Glass, which
has been available to the general public for some time now. It is possible to use Glass
to record what an officer observes while on patrol, such as businesses or residents in
the homes they are passing by. Anyone they meet can be given real-time information
if Glass is linked to facial recognition software [2,12].

5. Immunochromatography

An additional technological innovation in the field of forensics is focused on sexual

assault investigations. Blood samples taken from assault victims can now be tested
using a new procedure that will allow investigators to determine if the blood is natural
or caused by an injury. Thus, less blood needs to be sent for DNA testing, reducing
case response time and the overall workload at regional forensic centres. This is
helpful for investigator and forensic technologist [1,2,13].

6. Fingerprint protection

As a last note, British researchers at Loughborough University have developed a

breakthrough in fingerprint technology that makes it hard for criminals to delete their
traces after the fact. They collaborated with the British Ministry of Defense to develop
a method to recover fingerprints from crime scene surfaces that had been soaked in
water, exposed to high temperatures, or distorted.

"This research with Loughborough has seen us demonstrate the ability to recover
fingerprints that would have been exceedingly difficult or impossible to recover,"
principal scientist Steven Thorngate told Forensic Magazine. Forensic experts around
the world can profit greatly from this technology, notwithstanding the need for
additional development [2,14]."
7. Drug Testing

Drug testing is a method of determining whether or not a person has taken legal or
illegal drugs. It is a method of testing biological specimens for the presence of
specific parent drugs or their metabolites by conducting a scientific analysis. In
addition to determining the presence or absence of a drug for medical or legal
purposes, a drug test can also be used to analyse possible accidental or purposeful
overdose or poisonings. When all components of the testing procedure are done
correctly, drug testing is incredibly accurate and dependable.

1. Inform judges for determining bail and punishment through the use of drug testing
in the criminal justice system.

Shows whether or not certain rules or criteria are being followed.

Identify those who are in need of assistance.

In order to keep tabs on inmates, law enforcement and the organisations that govern
them use drug testing as a standard part of their procedures. The use of drug testing
technology can provide valuable information on an offender's behaviour and other
outcomes at a low cost and with high accuracy. Increasing the accountability of
offenders and regulating their behaviour are two benefits of drug testing, whether
used alone or in conjunction with treatment.

According to a Supreme Court opinion from 2010, an interrogation using Narco

analyis should be conducted only with the cooperation of the person before an officer
and is classed as drug testing technology under modified mental conditions of the
subject.

2. This exam should not be administered against one's will.

There must be other evidence to support direct evidence from a narcotics analysis.

The Nithari serial murder took occurred in Nithari hamlet near Noida, Uttar Pradesh,
in 2005 and 2006.[7] Both suspects in the serial killings were exposed to Narco
analysis interrogation, which the judge labelled a "rarest of rare situations." During
interrogation, the findings of the tests suggested that one of the accused, Surendra
Kohli, killed the victims by strangulation on his own. It was also discovered that he
had raped the women he killed after they were killed[15].
8. Fingerprinting using Magnets Identification Using Fingerprints in an Automated
Manner

AFIS (automatic finger print identification system) is a biometric identification

approach that makes use of digital imaging technology to collect, store, and analyse
finger print data that could be useful in a criminal investigation. These forensic
technologies allow investigators, forensic scientists and police officers to match a
fingerprint from a crime scene to a large virtual database swiftly and easily. The dust
and no-touch wanding method of this technology allows investigators to capture a
flawless image of finger prints at a crime scene without contamination. Furthermore,
one of the reasons fingerprints are regarded a foolproof means of identification is that
each one is different. Increasingly, finger-printing is being utilised as a kind of fraud
prevention, but it is also being used to protect our personal information and data, such
as passwords and PINs, from being stolen. It is becoming increasingly popular to
employ a combination of AFIS technology and live scanning to identify individual
user logons. In the past, keeping track of fingerprint data was a difficult procedure
because searches and comparisons of fingerprints to a specific print were so labor-
intensive and time-consuming. But thanks to technological advancements, that is no
longer the case. Digitalized fingerprints are being introduced in the form of AFIS
Technology, which can automatically link the latent print from a crime scene to a
database of known fingerprints in a short period of time. Digital fingerprint data is
organised and archived in a systematic manner for easy retrieval from any computer
or mobile device [1,16].

9. Laser ablation
When it comes to identifying offenders or individuals present at the scene of a crime,
getting their DNA isn't always the easiest option. Laser ablation inductively coupled
plasma spectrometry, often known as LA-ICP-MS, is a technique that uses laser
beams to analyse solid samples. Analyzed using spectrometers, a spectrometer ionises
the samples into tiny particles that may be studied. LA-ICP-MS can match a piece of
glass or concrete removed from the crime scene with a minuscule particle of the same
material detected on the clothing of an individual, which could potentially link them
to the crime [17].
10. XFT surveillance equipment for digital surveillance
 In the field of forensics, digital monitoring in gaming systems is one of the most
interesting and unusual developments. XBox hard drives are being used to hide files
by cyber thieves, who are getting more and more smart about where and how they
keep information. With the help of XFT devices, forensic scientists and law
enforcement personnel can see data that would otherwise be inaccessible. There are
additional recording features built into XFT in order to gather the evidence needed in
court, such as when the case goes to trial.
Forensics can help solve crimes, improve security, and gather data for future attack
prevention in a variety of ways, some of which are listed above [18].
11. Reconstruction of the face
3D facial reconstruction is one of the most exciting new developments in forensics.
The idea that we can even acquire a notion of someone's appearance based on their
skeletal remains is crucial. Verifying descriptions offered by victims or third parties
and preventing the identification of an individual in circumstances where DNA
evidence is unreliable or has spread to other regions are only some of the uses for 3D
facial reconstruction (i.e. blood).

Analysis of Socio-Legal Consequences

In today's world, science has brought forth significant transformations. Science and
technology are being used around the world in the identification and investigation of
crime and in the administration of justice. Forensic science is undergoing rapid
transformation due to the advent of new technology and methodologies such as DNA
Sequencing, Drug Testing, and Automated Finger Identification Technology. With
today's forensic tools, it's possible to tell between a few hundred molecules' worth of
trace elements and biological compounds. Using these new technology with caution,
it may be possible to uncover a crime that has been kept hidden, condemn the guilty,
and restore justice to the innocent. Additionally, it plays an important part in
acknowledging and providing comfort to those who have lost a loved one due to an
accident, crime, disaster, or other calamity.

Law enforcement is taking advantage of a wide range of scientific and technological

breakthroughs to fight crime, and this can be seen in the present day. Forensic
technology, on the other hand, provides solutions to criminal questions based on
comparisons with, for example, control substances or biological evidence that may be
found at the scene of the crime. In addition, forensic technology can provide the
necessary answers for criminal investigations with the use of trace proof and
impression proof such as fingerprints, tyre tracks, and footwear impressions. Forensic
science is also used to solve disputes, such as in forensic accounting, which is the
study and comprehension of accounting evidence.

Unless an eyewitness was present at the scene of the crime, criminals would not have
been able to be convicted of crimes ranging from simple theft to a homicidal rampage
without the application of forensic technologies.. Fortunately, scientific evidence may
now be used to track down offenders who have left behind indications that can be
traced back to them. In the judicial system, forensic science plays a critical role since
it involves the application of scientific knowledge and technique from diverse fields.
Forensic technology is the missing piece in the criminal investigation puzzle. Forensic
technology has made it possible to zero in on suspects by detecting a crime pattern
and personality through criminal profiling techniques. Forensic science's importance
in criminal trials is widely acknowledged by the legal system, which places a high
value on crime scene management that is both efficient and of high quality. Because
of this, the likelihood of a crime being caught and prosecuted increases [1, 2,19].

Conclusion

In criminal investigations, forensic science's ever-evolving body of knowledge is a

valuable asset. Technical skills in forensic science are used to find, identify, and
prosecute criminals. An increasing number of law enforcement organisations in India
and throughout the world are using forensic technologies. Forensic technology can
only be used to solve crimes if the police adopt a new professional culture, a scientific
procedure, and the proper equipment. Advances in science and technology, as well as
new research in every subject, have given the globe an effective and precise tool for
criminal investigation in the modern world. There is a great deal of change in the field
of forensic science as new technologies and procedures are introduced, but scientific
proof offers the prospect of extremely accurate facts and the reduction of ambiguity
that often accompanies judicial decision making [1].

The use of forensic technology in recent years has resulted in an increase in the
number of convictions for a variety of crimes and in the investigation of a criminal
 case for justice. Since the rise of science and technology, our society's structure has
evolved to keep up with the pace of change. Forensic science laboratories have been
established across India because of the country's great need and importance;
nevertheless, it is recommended that mobile laboratories be established in remote
areas as well so that they can get at the scene of an incident as quickly as possible.
Another possible proposal that might be made here is that cops and investigators
should be taught the fundamentals of evidence collection so that the records of
offenders can be kept in the appropriate manner. When it comes to handling evidence,
investigators and police officers should be educated to collect a large amount of
evidence from the scene in a manner that preserves its integrity until it arrives at the
laboratory[1,2[.

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