Preventive Forensic

Mr. Md Alim
Assistant Professor
Department of Forensic Science, Kalinga University

In recent decades, criminality has exceeded its boundaries. The world is transitioning from reactive to proactive forensics by acknowledging the potential for criminals to employ various techniques and ways to commit crimes. The intricacy, obscurity, and rarity of malevolent acts hinder the identification of the perpetrators. In classic reactive forensic inquiry, the study and interpretation of evidence occur post-crime commission. Even if criminals can be apprehended, they have already inflicted significant harm.
Proactive forensics refers to the capacity to anticipate and manage a specific issue prior to its occurrence. It does not await the commission of the offense. It represents a conceptual transformation, a fundamental alteration in the perception of the breadth and advancement of forensic research. Frequently, during the trial, reliable and credible witnesses to the crime rarely come forward to testify before the court, allowing even the most hardened criminals to evade the law. In such situations, proactive forensic analysis plays a crucial role. We inhabit a world characterized by increasing security challenges, necessitating a transition from reactive to proactive forensics.
A technique known as proactive crime scene reaction uses the results of targeted forensic analyses to guide ongoing criminal investigations. At the crime scene, it is crucial to identify, document, collect, and preserve evidentiary elements in order to increase the analytical value of evidence that is processed by forensic laboratories. The analytical process can be simplified with better training, collaboration, and communication between forensic scientists and crime scene investigators. This, in turn, allows for a greater focus on high-value evidence, faster response times, and a stronger voice in shaping the course of the investigation. Information on the suspects’ whereabouts at the moment of the incident, any links to prior crimes, and other crucial details for collaborative crime resolution can be found in real-time data obtained through focused forensic analysis and database utilization.
Forensic crime prevention encompasses the tools and methodologies employed by pre-trial investigative agencies, primarily aimed at identifying the causes and conditions of criminal behavior, while also providing suitable proposals and recommendations to mitigate and avert future criminal acts. Preventive measures should employ a variety of strategies to attain substantial and enduring change. These strategies will be more effective when supported by public policy, legislation, regulation, and a professional staff. Methods that have shown promise or effectiveness (when implemented in a live, evidence-based manner) are maintained within this framework. These methods encompass community engagement, programs, organizational development, advocacy on behalf of civil society, social movement activism, communications and social work campaigns, and community mobilization and strengthening. The use of nanotechnology in forensic science will transform investigative processes, making them more efficient, accurate, sensitive, and user-friendly. This highlights the indisputable importance of these technologies. Microfluidic devices have made it possible to analyze DNA from hair samples and blood stains for forensic purposes. Forensic technology has progressed to the point where B-carbon dot powders, which are used for fingerprinting, become visible under UV light, allowing for easier investigation. Biosensors and nanosensors are employed to detect the presence of illicit narcotics, explosive materials, and biological agents at the molecular level. Foldscope can be utilized in the field for immediate assessments, including blood, hair, and soil analysis. Digital forensic scientists have commenced utilizing blockchain, big data, and metadata technologies, as it is nearly difficult to tamper with these technologies. Drone forensics is employed in the investigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It entails extracting and securing evidence in a forensically sound manner from a drone.
In addition, a number of proactive forensic tools and methods, like drug scanners, surveillance, and biometric identification systems, have revolutionized forensic science and become indispensable tools for law enforcement. At now, these elements and methods aid in both the acquittal and conviction of individuals accused of different offenses. Therefore, these methods and technologies improve the efficiency and precision of investigations by taking preventative forensic and security measures.

References:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/preventive-forensics-is-the-future/articleshow/3995172.cms
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