CHAPTER - XXXVIII (B)

VISIT TO THE SCENE OF CRIME AND SEARCH OF THE

SCENE AND PREPARATION OF CRIME DETAILS FORM

1633. After registering the case, the Station House Officer / Investigating officer shall
immediately start the investigation by proceeding to the scene of crime, making observation
and searching for physical clues.

SCENE OF CRIME

1634. A scene of crime is the place where a particular crime has been committed or where
physical evidence of such crime is found when it first comes to the notice of the officer-in-
charge of the Police Station. For example in a murder case the crime must have been
committed elsewhere but the scene is the place where the body has been first found. The
place where actually the crime has been committed will be located at a later stage of the
investigation.

CLASSIFICATION OF SCENE OF CRIME

1635. The scene of crime is not confined within the limits of its immediate location, but it
includes the ingress or egress of the criminal into the scene or that much of the way of
approach and retreat of the criminals as may possibly by determined during the inspection of
the scene and its investigation. The scene of crimes are broadly classified under two heads,
namely:-

(a) Indoor, and

(b) Outdoor

Note
Indoor means closed premises / places and outdoor will be open places.

1636. At the scene of crime, except offences like cheating, forgery, embezzlement and
conspiracy, the criminal comes in contact with the physical surroundings and leaves traces at
the scene in the form of clothing, fibre, finger prints, foot or foot-wear prints, blood strains or
any biological fluids or secretion, occupational dirt, marks of implements used for gaining
ingress or breaking open locks and padlocks of almirahs, chests, trunks and boxes or tyre
marks. The scene also imparts traces on the criminal like paint, oily substance or blood. The
investigator must, therefore, conduct a through examination of the crime scene and must
analyze and visualize as to what kind of the traces or the physical clues have to be picked up
according to the classification of crime scenes.
THE METHODS AND THE PRIORITY OF THE SEARCH

1637. The scene of crime shall be preserved and protected before the arrival of the
investigator and the investigating team consisting of the crime team, Police dog and the
handler, finger print expert, photographer. The SHO should ensure that he sends his men in
sufficient number to guard the scene so that it is not disturbed.

1638. The investigator shall form two or more search teams within the investigation team to
cover the whole area of the scene and its proximity so that the observation and search of the
scene can be done by either one or more methods of search, as indicated below:-

(a). Strip method,

(b). Spiral method,
(c). Zone method and
(d). Wheel method.

1639. Before starting the search at the scene, the process of making search to find out
physical and other clues, shall be in the following order:-

Firstly, the dog squad should pick up the scent;

Secondly, without touching anything at the scene and its close proximity,
photographs in various angles shall be taken;

Thirdly, the finger print expert shall look for the finger impressions at the scene and
at various articles found there on and lift the chance prints, if any; and

Fourthly, a through search shall be conducted by the investigator assisted by his team
members.

1640. The observations shall be made in the presence of two respectable witnesses of the
locality. If any foreign material or any incriminating object / substance / paper or traces
found, they shall be seized by the investigating officer under the cover of seizure mahazar
duly attested by two witnesses.

PREPARATION OF THE OBSERVATION MAHAZAR

1641. The observation mahazar in respect of the scene of crime shall be prepared by the
Investigating officer. It shall be in the printed “CRIME DETAILS FORM” (I F2). The
investigating officer should

(i). describe all physical evidences found at the scene of crime including the
property recovered or seized for the purpose of investigating,

(ii). give details of properties stolen or involved in the crime,

 (iii). describe the place of occurrence, giving accounts of all directions and
measuring the distance between the actual spot and the important points / land
marks,

(iv). draw the rough sketch of the scene of crime in the CRIME DETAILS FORM
itself.

1642. The crime details form containing the observation mahazar and the rough sketch of
the scene shall be attested by two witnesses whose names and addresses be mentioned
clearly. Care should be taken to choose these witnesses.

1643. THE PURPOSE OF THE SEARCH OF THE SCENE AND THE USE OF
INVESTIGATING KITS AT THE SCENE

(1). The purpose of the search of the crime scene is to determine the facts of the crime and
identify its perpetrator.

(2). If the scene of crime is thoroughly and carefully examined, it gives a clear picture of
the MODUS OPERANDI of recorded criminals, which may subsequently result in the
identification of the accused responsible for the crime.

(3). After closely observing the scene and noting down all the details, the investigating
officer should look out for any marks of struggle in the place.

(4). The investigating officer should take the following articles with him while inspecting
the scene of crime:-

(i). Torch light with cells.

(ii). Magnifying glass
(iii). A good watch
(iv). Tracing paper
(v). Tracing cloth to take up blood strains
(vi). Measuring tape
(vii). A sample soap and a towel.
(viii). Stationary items such as white paper, carbon paper, pencil, eraser, ball point /
refills, gun, sealing wax, enveloper, blank form for conducting house search,
for bonds, summons to witnesses – forms, extra crime details form,
(ix). Officer’s pocket note book / plain note book
(x). A pen knife
(xi). Scissors, tweezers and a ball of twine
(xii). A pocket first aid equipment
(xiii). A bottle of plaster of paris and a bottle of oil.
 (xiv). Candle and a match box
(xv). A brush to collect dust and particles of fabric items
(xvi). Small container / boxes of various sizes to preserve the exhibits

Note
The above items shall be exclusively carried by the investigating officer in a separate
investigating kit box. The items relating to the search and lifting of finger print shall
be brought by the Finger print expert who shall be definitely called to all scene of
crimes, except simple investigation cases.

METHOD OF SEARCHING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE / CLUES AT THE SCENE OF

CRIME

1644. Nothing at a scene of crime is insignificant. The investigator should bear in mind that
the traces however insignificant they mat at first appear to be may prove at last to be
evidence of immense value. So, the scene must be observed by him for minute traces with
the closest attention. Correct search at the scene of crime and search for clues are essential
for proper reconstruction of a crime and finding physical evidence which help connecting the
criminal with the crime scene. Each particular scene of crime indicates what are the traces
that have to be looked for by an expert and investigator.

The position and condition of the following shall be minutely seen, observed and
noted.

(i). Overturned furniture,

(ii). Broken doors and windows,
(iii). Type and nature of fracture of window panes,
(iv). Pieces of glass,
(v). Position of corpse, etc.,

1645. The physical evidence that an investigator should look for at the scene of crime varies
with the nature of the crime committed. The following nature of physical evidence shall also
be thoroughly observed and noted in the observation mahazar.

(i). Fibres,
(ii). Textiles, etc.,
(iii). Hairs,
(iv). Fixtures,
(v). Fur,
(vi). Blood,
(vii). Semen,
(viii). Urine, sputum, sweat, tears,
 (ix). Chemicals,
(x). Paints,
(xi). Oil, grease, etc.,
(xii). Any form of organic or inorganic particles,
(xiii). Portion of metals, metal filings, etc.,
(xiv). Glass,
(xv). Firearms, including
(a). spent cartridge case,
(b). bullet,
(c). wad,
(d). stray pellets,
(e). Bullet marks on walls, trees, etc.,
(f). signs of burning on victim or his clothes,
(xvi). Chemical or poison suspected to have been used,
(xvii). Empty phials,
(xviii). Drinking glass,
(xix). Utensils used for taking meals,
(xx). Vomitting,
(xxi). Purging,
(xxii). Remnants of food and drinks,
(xxiii). Finger print,
(xxiv). Footprints,
(xxv). Tool marks,
(xxvi). Teeth marks,
(xxvii).Tyre marks
(xxviii). Skid marks,
(xxix). Bullet mark,
(xxx). Marks indicating struggle,
(xxxi). Used blotting and carbon paper,
(xxxii).Implements and materials used for committing the crime, depending on the
nature of crime,
(xxxiii). Any article which was not or is not likely to be at the scene e.g. broken parts
of knives, sindhkathis, broken or dislodged parts of a vehicle, etc.

1646. The physical clues / evidence collected at the scene of crime shall be properly packed
and sent to the court and then to be referred to Central Forensic Science Laboratory,
Hyderabad along with a forwarding note and the seal and signature of the Magistrate.
1647. The exhibits / physical evidence so collected and seized from the scene should be
despatched to the Court and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory at the earliest
opportunity and should not be kept in the custody of Police for any period longer than that
which is unavoidable.

1648. The investigator, after making observation of the scene and drawing a sketch of the
scene of crime, it is important that he should not leave anything to memory. He should, side
by side, make a record of every little detail at the scene of the offence. It is also important
that the investigator should take the cooperation of the complainant / the person who gave the
first information by taking him with him to the spot. The investigating officer should take
details from the complainant but he should take care not be nose led or misled by anybody.

1649. The time allotted to this close observation / examination is far from being lost and the
results compensate largely for any apparent delay.

1650. After completing the preparation of the crime details form, the investigating officer
shall find out the person(s) best able to give information about the case, which will enable
him to become approximately acquainted with its circumstances.

1651. When the information that can be gathered up rapidly has been obtained from the
scene and its proximity, the next care should be to make a selection among the persons
interested in the case and according the investigating officer should examine them.

GENERAL GUIDELINES TO THE POLICE OFFICERS BEFORE VISITING THE

SCENE OF CRIME, AFTER ARRIVING AT THE SPOT AND WHILE PREPARING
THE ROUGH SKETCH OF THE SCENE

1652. Every Police officer who sets out on investigation should, at the first instance, pick up
clues at the scene of crime and link the story of the first information report with that of the
scene being observed. For that, the following guidelines shall be borne in mind:

(a). Before arrival of the scene, the investigation officer should have a plan to

(i). establish or fix or confirm the place of occurrence as narrated in the FIR,
(ii). confirm and contradict the witnesses,
(iii). demoralize the criminal, if already arrested, and
(iv). to ensure conviction to the accused person(s).

(b). After arrival at the scene he should

(i). contact the man who reached the scene first and make enquiries;
(ii). ensure that the scene of crime is not interfered with;
(iii). not allow any unauthorized person to meddle in the inspection of the scene;
 (iv). avoid crowding at the spot and all thoughtless interference, as they always
result in the destruction of clues;
(v). never leave the inspection of scene to his subordinates especially to those who
are untrained;
(vi). never take anything to be trivial but make his inspection thorough and minute;
(vii). Search methodically as stated earlier patiently and in a definite order;

(c). Should thoroughly search

(i). the spot,

(ii). the surroundings,
(iii). line of approach of the culprits and
(iv). line of departure of the culprits
while searching, should pay special attention to:
(v). hedges,
(vi). walls,
(vii). barbed wire and
(viii). nearby ponds, etc.
while searching for traces, should consider:
(ix). the sort of traces which have to be looked for, having regard to the type of
crime committed.
(x). the places where they are most likely to be found; and
(xi). how best, when found, they could be preserved intact and unaltered, till
examined by the expert; and
(d). Physical clues help investigation and successful prosecution
Should bear in mid the following traces and how they help in investigation and
prosecution.

(i). Finger print (in crimes against For fixing the identity of the criminal
persons and property, such as
murder, burglary, etc.)
(ii). Footmarks (crime against person For establishing the presence of the accused
and property by unidentified culprits at the scene of crime.
Viz., murder, burglary, robber,
dacoity, etc)
(iii). Tool marks (burglary, wire-cutting For identification of the weapons and tools
cases, hatchet marks on skull in used
murder cases)
(iv), Teeth marks (on food, fruits, skin, To identify the criminals
etc) – (rape, sex, murders and theft
of eatables, etc)
(v). Tyre marks (crime by motor To identify the criminal
vehicles)
(vi). Skid marks For finding out
(i) Speed of the vehicle
(ii) Application of brakes.
(vii). Deviation marks To find out if the driver tried to avoid the
accident.
(viii). Mould marks on counterfeit coins To identify the mould used.
(ix). Different kinds of apparatus used To identify criminals and to find whether
for counterfeiting coin counterfeiting was possible.
(x). Cut marks on articles (wire theft To identify instruments used by comparing
case) striations on cut surfaces
(xi). Mark indicating struggle To establish the method by which the crime
was committed.
(xii). Filed out numbers on metals, For proving ownership
resuscitation of number, designs,
trade mark etc, (Car theft,
machinery or cycle theft, etc)
(xiii). Marks of writing on blotting paper, To prove forgery
carbon, charred documents,
obliteration, erasure, etc., inks and
different kinds of forgery,
stimulating old documents
(xiv). Any for of dust, soil, ashes, animal (a) To establish the trade of the suspect
and vegetable material, grass seeds (b) To fix presence at scene.
found on shoes, sawdust etc (c) To chemically analyse ashes for poisons
etc.,
(xv). Portions of metal or filing in (a) To establish the profession
clothing etc, (b) To establish commission of
counterfeiting
(xvi). Blood strains seminal stains To establish
(Murder, Hurt and rape cases) (a) identity of criminal,
(b) the spot
(c) contact, etc.
(xvii). Chemical stains (Abortion, theft, (a) To indicate profession, if on clothes, etc.
etc.,) (b) To indicate contact with materials of
various kinds, paper ink, etc.
(xviii). Paint, oil, grease marks, glass pieces (a) To establish identity of vehicles
(b) Arson cases
(c) Instrument used in burglary and house-
breaking, etc
(xix). Hair-human or animal (Theft of To prove:
animals, rape, murder, hurt, gang (a) presence
cases, contact cases) (b) contact
(c) association
(xx). Feather, etc (theft of birds, furs, etc) To prove identity of different kinds of birds

(xxi). Textiles, clothings, fibres. (a) For comparison with cloths of suspect
(b) For proving colour, textile etc.
(c) To prove, if torn from a particular cloth
(xxii). Wood splinters, asbestos fibres, To prove identity of stolen articles.
fragments of materials, etc.
(xxiii). Fire-arms cartridges, empties, (a) to fix if fired from particular weapon,
bullets, powder strains, stray pellets, direction and distance from which fired.
bullet marks for direction, pellet (b) to find out if serviceable
marks indicating spread, signs of (c) to find out the components of powder.
burning of friction marks on (d) Type, make and mark of arms,
clothing marks of powder on hands ammunition, etc
etc.
(xxiv). Explosive To prove nature, type and quality, if
dangerous, live or exploded.
(xxv). Bones To prove:
(a) height, (b) build, (c) sex, (d) race, (e)
age, (f) cause of death.
(xxvi). Stamps, postage, revenue, etc. To prove forgery
(Forgery cases) forgery of currency
notes and their material
(xxvii) Machinery and its component parts To find out if it failed due to defect in
machinery or negligence of operator.
(xxviii). Poisons (may be in tumblers, glass To fix:
bottles, paper, phials, sweets, (a) nature of poison
vomit(s), a faecus, etc. (b) type of poison
(c) quantity of poison used.

(e). While preparing map / rough sketch

(1). The officer making the search should take down accurate and detailed notes,
supported by accurate sketches drawn to scale, showing the whole lay-out and the exact
places where the articles, etc., were found. It is not sufficient to say that an article was in a
certain room or on a particular table, its exact position must be noted and, if necessary, an
enlarged sketch of that portion of the scene must be drawn. In all important cases
photographs of the scene and of the objects on which any useful clues are found should be
taken.

(2). Sketches are useful in criminal investigation and prosecution, as they:-

(a). reduce the length of case diaries;

(b). make a much more exact impression on the mind, than written reports;
(c). make a lucid explanation of an intricate case fairly easy;
(d). introduce a method into investigation;
 (e). help judges, magistrates and others to an accurate understanding of a case; and
(f). often prove whether a witness is reliable or not e.g., whether he was within the
hearing of incident or was able to see what he stated he saw.
(g). enrich the powers of observation of Investigating Officer.

(3). The sketches should

(a). be prepared to scale,

(b). indicate the compass point,
(c). mention the distance correctly,
(d). show the angles of cross-rods, road junctions and the angles between various
articles,
(e). show the position of all articles, exhibits, marks of vehicles, etc., relevant to
the case,
(f). describe such articles, marks, etc., by letters such as ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, etc.,
(g). show the places from where the witnesses stood and witnesses the incident,
(h). mention all other important details,
(i). explain all such details in the margin or at their foot, and
(j). also mention –
(i). scale together with title
(ii). case reference, date and time and
(iii). date and signature of the person who prepared them.

(4). The north point can be obtained by either of the following methods

(a). by means of a compass

(b). from an existing map of the area after it has been ‘set’ arranging a map on the
ground it represents, in such a manner that a line from the point on the map
which represents the observer’s position to any particular point on the map is
a real direction of the point on the ground.

(5). In motor accident cases the sketch prepared should show:

(a). point of impact;

(b). track marks of the vehicles concerned in the accident;
(c). position of vehicles after the accident;
(d). width of the road and nature of road surface (whether metalled or otherwise);
(e). skid marks;
(f). brake impressions;
(g). position on the road of glass or other debris from the accident
(h). dimensions of vehicles concerned;
 (i). width and nature of the ‘Katcha’ portion of the road and roadside lands;
(j). if visibility is obscured by hedges, fences, walls, poles etc., and if so
measurements thereof;
(k). any fixed object such as tree, telephone, telegraph or electric pole which might
have a bearing on the accident or which might help to fix the exact position on
the rod of any vehicles or injured persons concerned;
(l). road directions (traffic signs located at some distance ahead of the point to
which they refer should be shown in such a way as to indicate the distance
from the sign to the scene of the incident);
(m). compass points;
(n). scale;
(o). time of accident and the weather condition at that time;
(p). position of blood stains;
(q). position and direction of the dead body or the injured and
(r). all other important details.

(6). The scale will have to be determined suitable to the locality or the scene to be
sketched and to the size of the paper used for preparing the sketch and where necessary graph
paper shall be used.

(7). If, in addition to the preparation of the sketch a photograph is taken, the exact place
from where the photograph is taken should be noted in the sketch.

(8). Where a sketch prepared contains:

(a). details of investigating officer’s observations at the spot furnished to the

sketcher

(b). details of points and places ascertained by Investigating Officer from

witnesses during investigation and furnished to the sketcher; the sketch in so
far as it contains the details contained in (a) is admissible in evidence and in
so far as it contains the details mentioned in (b) is inadmissible being hit by
the provisions of section 162 Cr.P.C.

Note
If required, the services of the departmental artist can be utilized.