Solving the case from crime scene investigation
(Baonghean) - Each case is different, the traces left at the scene also have different complexities. In many cases, the traces left at the scene are very few, making the investigation and solving the case encounter many difficulties. Therefore, decoding and making these traces "speak" requires forensic soldiers to be present at the scene early to organize the examination and collect traces...
Decoding the traces...
We arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department - Provincial Police at the exact time that the working group of the Crime Scene Investigation Team led by Lieutenant Colonel Phan Van Nhung had just returned from a crime scene. Without making us wait long, Lieutenant Colonel Nhung started the conversation with a friendly smile.
He said: As a forensic technician, quickly decoding traces and documents collected at the scene will help the investigation and pursuit of the perpetrator proceed quickly, so when ordered, we will go, regardless of weather conditions, day or night, or location.
"With a large area, many cases occur in remote areas, the time of discovery is late, traces and evidence are not intact. Not to mention the case, to conceal the crime, sometimes the body has been buried... Therefore, the investigation work to detect and collect traces and evidence of the case encounters many difficulties. On average, each year, the Crime Scene Investigation Team directly handles over 300 cases. Most of them are cases related to serious traffic accidents, murder...''
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| Criminal technical officers conduct drug examination. Photo: Minh Khoi |
After nearly 20 years of work, Lieutenant Colonel Nhung cannot count how many cases he has participated in investigating, but he affirms that crime scene investigation is an important step in the pre-investigation process, which begins immediately after the incident occurs. From the results of crime scene investigation, it can help determine whether or not there are signs of crime, which is the basis for deciding whether or not to prosecute the case and the basis for proving crime for the later investigation process. Therefore, the motto in investigation is "urgent, careful, objective, meticulous, accurate, comprehensive".
Having just reviewed the case files, Lieutenant Colonel Nhung said: In traffic accidents, the crime scene is considered the key to deciphering the nature of the incident. Because in many cases, after causing a traffic accident, the subject tries to erase traces of the crime scene, making it difficult for the investigation. Some subjects evade and do not accept responsibility, claiming that they are not at fault and did not drive the vehicle in violation of the law...
In such cases, only the examination of the scene, through the traces and evidence left behind, is the basis for determining the fault of the person causing the accident. For example, in cases of multiple traffic accidents, the experts must determine the first traces of the collision, the subsequent traces of the collision on the vehicles, thereby providing a scientific basis to help the authorities resolve the case promptly, objectively and accurately.
On average, every year, the criminal technical force organizes crime scene examinations of 250 - 350 cases and 150 - 250 autopsies; examines 1,300 - 1,700 cases, with thousands of different requests, focusing on forensic examination, drug examination, chemical examination, and fire and explosion examination.
In the field of fire and explosion appraisal, for appraisers, the starting point of the fire is the "golden key" in investigating the case. Like the big explosion at No. 5, Tran Phu Street, Le Mao Ward, Vinh City in 2018. After receiving a request from the Provincial Police Department of Investigation, determining that this was an explosion with very serious consequences, causing panic among the people, the scene investigation team quickly arrived to conduct the investigation.
Here, many items were burned and collapsed, making the investigation very difficult. However, with a sense of responsibility and determination, the experts meticulously searched for traces in the sweltering heat of the fire. Accordingly, it was quickly determined that the cause was a gas leak in the kitchen area, mixed with oxygen in the air to form an explosive mixture, and when exposed to a heat source in a relatively closed environment, it exploded.
... Searching for the truth
Along with crime scene investigation, forensic examination is a difficult, arduous, and toxic job, with many constraints and social prejudices. According to Major Tran Van Hai - Head of the Forensic Examination Team, the nature of the job requires him to directly dissect corpses to find clues of crimes left on the victim's body and determine the cause of death. On average, he has to participate in dissecting over 200 corpses each year, sometimes having to deal with 2-3 corpses a day, so he does not dare to go home.
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| Criminal technical officers examine the scene of a crime that occurred in Tuong Duong district. Photo: Xuan Bac |
Recalling the murder case that left a young man dead on the lawn in Cua Nam Park in Block 6B, Cua Nam Ward, Vinh City in 2018, Major Hai said that after receiving the decision to request an expert examination from the Criminal Investigation Agency, the team quickly arrived at the scene. At this time, the young man's body had many wounds. The team coordinated with relevant units to examine the scene, conduct an autopsy and concluded that this was a murder and robbery case.
The subject used bricks at the scene to commit the crime. Based on the results of the examination and traces collected at the scene, we coordinated with the Institute of Criminal Science to conduct an examination of related specimens, helping the Investigation Police Agency to properly orient the investigation process, clarify the case and successfully arrest the perpetrator, Nguyen Dinh Luc (born 1991), residing in Cam Binh commune, Cam Xuyen district, Ha Tinh province.
According to Major Hai, that was a simple case, but for corpses that died in the forest, died for a long time, and were decomposed, finding the cause of death requires a lot of effort. “When I first started my career, the first time I saw a dead body, especially a bloated and smelly one, I felt a chill run down my spine. However, after many cases, that feeling was gone, and instead it was the responsibility of an investigator to be careful and meticulous in finding traces to help clarify the case,” said Major Hai.
It can be said that dedication is a requirement in all fields of work, but dedication to crime scene investigation requires a higher and more rigorous level. In addition, crime scene investigation work also has many potential dangers and toxicities, which significantly affect health. Because many corpses are discovered in the process of decomposition, including drug addicts and HIV patients. Just a small mistake can put those directly doing the investigation at risk of infection.
However, with a high sense of responsibility, the forensic technical force is still diligently working on "finding clues". Their silent contributions are the key to solving many cases, effectively serving the investigation, crime prevention and control work, and ensuring security and order in the area.