Further, he is involved in scientific researches and building capabilities that related to the document security, and safety features used in Documents of value like the Banknotes, Travel and Identity Documents, aiming at supporting law enforcement and border control officers by the proper capabilities for fighting cross border crimes, terrorism, and misuse of Identity and travel documents and different kinds of banknotes.

Saleh is a life-long learner and shares his knowledge, experiences, and values through active participation in international symposiums, workshops, and conferences and through the courses he teaches.

1. Serving as a Police Officer in various agencies of the Lebanese government, what inspired you to include Forensics to the Policing domain?

The main objective of the law enforcement officers is to preserve security, maintain order, and to support the public service, the judiciary and the whole criminal justice system by the means of good performance and professional governance. However, the police officers have a big role in the criminal investigations, that suggested being comprehensive, relevant, and very accurate, to provide the judiciary by the appropriate evidence that proves facts and reality. Otherwise, criminal investigations will turn over and contradict with justice and lead to the miscarriage of justice, that is the crucial challenge facing the criminal justice system, how to support the fair administration of justice?

Thus, after several years of service as an investigative officer and policing capabilities builder, I moved to the forensic domain starting by human identification through fingerprints and facial recognition in the Central Identification Bureau (CIB) within the Scientific Police Division (SPD).

2. You have been serving as the Captain-Deputy Chief of Central Identification Bureau [CIB] & Internal Security Forces [ISF] of Lebanon. How are these roles different from normal policing?

Yes, for sure, there are a lot of differences between the normal policing roles and those related to a forensic police officer, that are different in many aspects.

The main duties of the normal police officer are to maintain peace, arrest suspects and criminals, investigate crimes and terrorism, confiscate, and so on. While in my previous capacity as a deputy head of a specialized unit (CIB), where I have been heavily involved and in charge of establishing and developing the total quality management system and processes. Also, I have participated in advancing and implementing a strategic plan that aimed at restructuring and re-engineering the entire workflows and procedures; a plan that tackled to upgrade the technical capacity, process maturity, and absorptive capability, upgrading the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to the newest Multi-Biometric system MBIS.

3. In what areas related to Forensics and investigation, have you been contributing in the capacity building process for the policing domain? What challenges were encountered in this process?

Yes, since the early beginning of my service in 1988, I started by police capabilities building at the Police Academy and sports trainer. My duty is training of police officers from different grades in the following capabilities: Legal frame of self-defence and security operations, ethics and rules of conduct, Security operations, guard missions, patrols, techniques of intervention and arrestation, writing professional reports, and high standards of physical fitness. This service followed by a higher-level service as a commander at the Police of Beirut Operation’s Unit. My main missions were supervising the security patrol police operations in Beirut. Further, I have participated in numerous security operations in high-risk situations, like searching for and arresting dangerous suspects and criminals.

Moreover, as a certified trainer and pedagogic engineering specialist, I have delivered training sessions since 2004 by incorporating an integrated approach to meet the cross-cutting needs of the trainees and the service duties. It is a fascinating and challenging experience that suggests deep learning on how to use training techniques designed for adults, like interactive lectures instead of ordinary lectures, working in sub-groups, playing roles, practicing simulations, lab work, debriefings and feedback, effective evaluation techniques for examining the acquired competences and knowledge.

To add, I have been playing a pivotal role in re-inventing and reorganization the police officer’s training program related to the technical investigation and crime scene management, that impacted positively in the performance of these officers in criminal investigations at all levels and across Lebanon.

Furthermore, I have designed many training portfolios in the fields of document security, fingerprints, evidence collection, the chain of custody implementation, and crime scene first responders. Simulations, working in sub-groups, and case study were the main methods for effective training and building capabilities. These training sessions were done for police officers from different agencies in Lebanon, and many of these projects were funded and supervised by the EU delegation in Lebanon, and I have been delivering these trainings since 2010, that leads in upgrading the capabilities of police officers from different ranks and that have a great impact in their successful missions.

Besides, I have been involved in delivering training sessions in document security for many agencies in Lebanon aiming at improving border management control and countering the fraudulent use of identity documents, an initiative that is collaborating the efforts of national and international organizations and experts, amongst the INTERPOL for building police capabilities and international databases in sites, that allows to establish and maintain good contact and confidence between the concerned parties.

4. Being a certified Trainer in various areas like Crime Scene Management, Document Security, and Training of the Trainers & undergone highly specialized trainings like forensic investigation of crime scene investigation, forensic examinations of terrorist crime scene, document security, humanitarian forensics under various national & international agencies, how useful are all these in policing & investigation?

It is not optional for the police officer to be well trained, capable, and multi-tasker to tackle the wide range of sensitive and crucial missions, that need a professional and prompt response. The scenario of misconduct of police officers at the crime scene will lead to destruction of the physical evidence or to add exterior and not related traces, so the police officer has to have sufficient knowledge about crime scene management, first responding, and forensics to acquire sufficient capability to investigate and fight crime and terrorism. Also, having a good experience in document security making the police officer capable to verify and ascertain the misuse of travel and identity documents, that is an essential condition to fighting identity theft and fraudulent use of identity documents, that are frequently used by the terrorists and major criminals.

Equally important, the coercive measures taken during various police operations have to respect human rights and the international humanitarian law, as the laws are put for the interest of the people, and therefore, the application of laws has to cope with the legal interest of the local communities. To emphasize, respecting human rights and applying the concepts of community policing by the law enforcement agencies play a fundamental role in fighting crimes and terrorism.

As a matter of fact, working in a close cooperation with different national and international law enforcement agencies and entities like the INTERPOL and EU organizations and projects, has an essential impact in enhancing and improving policing capabilities and responding approach at the various and different levels of police intervention.

5. Working with the INTERPOL is a dream for many law enforcement personnel. You have worked closely with the INTERPOL on some occasions. How different is that experience from regular policing?

The INTERPOL has an essential role at the international policing level, and I totally agree that working with the INTERPOL is a dream for many law enforcement personnel. I was nominated several times by the DG of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) to participate in specialized symposiums about Fingerprints and Facial Recognition. Further, I have coordinated the INTERPOL International Training about Document Security that was held in Beirut 2018, and later on I have participated in the INTERPOL Specialized Border Management Training Session in 2019. Further, I have been nominated to be a local trainer during the hybrid INTERPOL training that was held in Beirut in November 2020 about “Strengthening Border Security Through Security Document Examination and Effective Use of INTERPOL Tools and Services”.

It is very fruitful experience that leads to profit from the high level of INTERPOL policing capabilities, and having a worldwide web of law enforcement communications.

6. In your opinion, how important is it for a police officer to have a scientific temper for effective policing?

The traditional ways of policing and investigations that depends on coercive measures to get confessions are ineffective and contradict with the laws of the country and the human rights. Therefore, professional policing and investigations nowadays heavily depend on scientific approaches and specialized hearing techniques. Hence, the scientific temper is a prerequisite condition to recruit the police officers in the effective and modern policing.

7. What is the process of crime scene investigation [from scene to lab] followed in Lebanon?

It is similar to the global crime scene management principles, starting from securing the scene, materializing traces and physical evidences, documenting by photos, maps, and descriptive reports, and finally processing by retrieving the traces, and sending them to the concerned units at the Scientific Police Division, with respect to the chain of custody exigences.

8. On many instances, you were involved in Criminal Intelligence Analysis, Data Analysis, International Vehicle theft investigation, restructuring Police Officers training programs, drafting MOUs, SOPs, Quality Manuals, Writing Professional Reports for Scientific Police Division. How challenging was it to train the in-service & new recruits in the scientific police division?

Dedication and persistence are the main keys of success, it is not a matter of what you gain for your own profit but of what you achieved for global public interest. Consequently, focusing of great objectives require to have a very competent, skilled, qualified, capable, and well-trained assistants. That means to give a great concern to the training and building capabilities, as well as creative a supportive and cooperative work environment. On the other hand, there is a continuous need to enhance the capabilities of the investigators of the law enforcement agencies about the document security and countering fraudulent use of identity and travel documents, the scientific technical investigation, crime scene management and first responding.

9. How different is Disaster Victim Identification on a scene & Terrorist Crime Scene from that of a normal crime scene? What precautions are to be considered while dealing with the evidences in these situations?

The main similarity between the three types of scenes is searching for the identification of the concerned people.

For the DVI, there is a need to identify victims by referring the scientific evidences like fingerprints and DNA, as well as by the Anti mortem and Post Mortem analysis (AM/PM) and a cooperative work between all the concerned agencies, hence the main focus is to identify the victims.

In the normal crime scene, the main focus is to identify the perpetrators, and to gather the physical evidences that help in the crime scene reconstruction, and to have as much as information about the role of the concerned persons.

Whereas in the terrorist crime scene, there is a need to identify the perpetrators and the victims at the same time, in addition to the terrorist groups and organizations, the facilitators, the funding sources, etc….that need a global cooperation between the concerned national and international agencies and entities.

Also, the approach of dealing with the TCS differs from that used in the NCR, as the motive is political (not personal) and to create a situation of terror and fear by using violent means of attack like arms, weapons, and explosives. Another difference is the type of evidences that are usually dangerous, very sensitive, and need special ways for documenting, lifting, transferring, and processing. For example, residues of explosive and other dangerous materials, that might need a great number of crime scene technicians to sift the dirt and collect the micro traces. Therefore, in terrorist crime scene there is a need for an investigation director, multi-specialized investigators and technicians, digital evidence experts, criminal intelligence analysts, and so on. That is totally different than the investigative approach used in the normal crime scenes.

10. The police professionals are called at various scene of crime for investigation regularly. How did you manage to indulge into research work in spite of administrative work? What challenges did you encounter while doing so?

Working in the real-time cases and training usually illuminate on ambiguous areas of knowledge, where the current references and researches do not perform a concise and accurate answers, for example: How long is the finger-mark persist on different kind of surfaces? Is it possible to determine the age of the finger-mark? Is it possible to study the ink intersection from handwriting? that makes me curious to perform scientific researches in the concerned domains in collaboration with international experts and scientists. The main challenges are lack of time and funding, that need a good time management, a wide range of communications with international researchers, excellent use of interpersonal communication skills, and good use of existing resources.

11. Having been into service for almost 3 decades in the Policing Domain, you might have received appreciation letters, awards and recognition for your outstanding contribution from various agencies and the government. What are some of them?

I only did my duty as it must be done. However, I have been conferred by many of the National Cedar Decoration – Cavalier grade, the Merit Decoration, The Merit Medal, and many written and verbal appreciations from the DG of the ISF, and from the Netherlands Marechaussee.

12. Do you still wish to explore and contribute to the field of policing, forensics & capacity building? How?

Yes, by being involved in the scientific research related the forensic sciences like fingerprints and ink analysis, by being a freelance consultant in the concerned field of expertise, and by organizing specialized training sessions, and any support related to the human rights and public interest.

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The interview was first published in Forensic Reporter February Issue 2021.

Interviewed by Bhargav Rathod, Executive Assistant, Legal Desire Media & Insights.

The post In Conversation with Saleh Mansour, Retd. Captain, ISF, Lebanon. appeared first on Legal Desire Media and Insights.

Interview:

1. What inspired you to join the academics in the Forensics domain during those early days, when there wasn’t much awareness about Forensics in the country?  How was this step perceived by others?

Yes, you are correct that there was not much awareness about the subject back then. But there was a zeal to do something different, when I came across the admission notice of Punjabi University for MSc Forensic Science which took me to the field. Though my decision was not wise enough if we consider in the right perspective that forensic science is merely an application of pure sciences, I am admitting my mistake here because the students are still making wrong decisions while getting admission to these courses, especially BSc Forensic Science in the present form. You may refer to our recent write up published in the February 2021 Issue of Forensic Reporter.

2. Many Academic Institutes providing Forensic Sciences courses in India have very poor infrastructure & fewer resources for academics & research purpose. How have you dealt with this issue?

A child cannot start running at the time of birth itself. Every project takes its own time. Unfortunately, in case of forensic science, institutes have not been established with any vision or defined mission. Therefore, the present state of affairs. In my case, when I started my career, I was fortunate to identify the issues with the forensic analysis and tried to resolve those issues with simple and innovative methods. If you look into the list of my publications, most of the research papers are having titles like ‘a simple method’ or ‘a simple modification’ etc. Simultaneously, kept trying concerted efforts to strengthen the laboratory facilities.  Research grants and funding from central agencies could make it possible to have all modern facilities in our teaching departments at my university from where I superannuated.

3. It has been observed that there is a non-uniformity of syllabus of Forensic Science at both UG & PG level in various colleges/institutes. How does this impact on the students pursuing their studies in such courses? According to you, how should an ideal syllabus be designed that benefits the students and society as a whole?

The recently published article in your reporter explains it well, still I would like to say that there is no need of BSc Forensic Science programme without a full curriculum of Chemistry, biology, physics and/or maths. It is proposed in three models that there may be an integrated course leading to MSc in forensic science where first three years, basics of forensic science and laws pertaining to the field with conventional courses of crime scene investigation, questioned documents and fingerprints etc could be dealt with while last two years should have a thrust upon specialization in advanced fields like computer forensics, DNA forensics, Forensic Psychology etc including research-based dissertation. There may be an exit plan after BSc if a student wishes. Stand-alone MSc Forensic science programmes in present form in most of the universities are having uniform curriculum because of the efforts of Dr MS Rao, formerly Chief forensic scientist, DFSS, MHA, New Delhi and needs only periodical updation.

4. Being involved as a reviewer to various national & international journals related to Forensic Sciences, you might have across thousands of research/review works in this domain. What issues have you encountered while assessing/reviewing such works and what advice would you like to give the researchers in the domain, to avoid any mistakes while submitting/publishing their research work, helping the work acceptable and publishable in a reputed journal?

The most important aspect of publication of any research is identification of the problem. Though there are so many journals available which can publish any research but quality journals still maintain the standard of research publication by adopting very stringent blind peer review. The authors should go through the instructions to authors of that particular journal where they want to publish their research. Also, authors should go through the back issues of the journal to see if similar type of the research is being published by that journal. If the research is relevant and novel, then no journal will decline to publish that research.

5. You have been called as a Guest Speaker by various National & International Organizations. How different is this experience compared to teaching the students in a classroom setting? What questions are generally asked to you by students & professionals of different backgrounds?

To lecture in conference on invitation is a bit formal and there may not be many questions as if the audience takes any idea from the lecture, they will try to test those findings in their conditions. While class lectures are more informal where the aim of the lecture is to impart not only the information but to enable the student to convert it into knowledge by understanding the deep things.

6. There might have been instances, when might have been involved in consultancy work for various government and private agencies on some cases. How different is it from academics?

Forensic science is the field which gives immense satisfaction when it is applied to real cases and then those cases are explained in the classroom. I took cases from the field of questioned documents, fingerprints and 3D facial reconstruction from the skull and involved students in the lab while working on the cases. It is really a very much enriching experience.

7. How important is it to indulge &collaborate for research projects? In your opinion, what are the things to be taken into consideration while undertaking any research work related to Forensic & Investigative Science? What are some of the issues encountered while doing so and steps to deal with it?

This is the era of collaborative research. In the times of technology, the laboratory facilities are very costly which cannot be afforded by everyone. Moreover, by collaborating, things can be accomplished quickly resulting in early publications thus more credit. But for all this, one needs very high integrity and team spirit.   For me, I feel that continuous training of the researcher and updating oneself is the issue faced by most of us from my generation. I always encouraged my students to attend/participate in maximum possible courses, training and workshops etc.

8. What trends/changes have been observed as a researcher in the mode, method of conducting a research work, comparing the older times to the modern time?

Technology explosion has changed everything in the field of research. Earlier we used to wait for months to get a research paper from the author but nowadays, it is available in no time. There were no issues like intellectual property rights. Not many bibliometric utilities to explore the field of research of your interest were available.  Automation was very less. IT makes research far easier these days.

9. Is there a lacuna between theoretical & practical understanding in the Forensics Domain? In your opinion, what is the correct way for the Capacity building of professors teaching in this domain?

As I have already said, it is a long process and with mutual faith the issue of capacity building can be resolved. There is great scope of developing forensic services in public as well as private sector when we observe that very low number of forensic facilities are available in our country as compared to any other developed countries. If we take this factor in terms of facilities available to per million population then it comes to be negligible. University programmes must be uniform with minimum standards to keep the parity. Forensic science labs may be involved in training of the students. The field being very dynamic, each case has its unique nature and methods may be required to be modified a bit and immediate solution may not be possible under conditions, then that problems should be researched by lab professionals with the help of university departments resulting in collaborative research as well as training the students while going through the course.

By strengthening forensic services, that idiom comes true which says electricity saved is electricity generated because, utilization of forensic services vigorously will result in to low pendency thus early disposal of the cases in the court saving a lot of resources involved in the process of administration of justice.

10. After being into academics for over 3 decades, how has the Forensics transitioned in our country compared to Foreign countries?

The process of scientific research in any field is very transitional inevitably so is the case with forensic science. we started working on sectioning of hair to determine species and sex etc while these days it looks obsolete. With sophisticated laboratory facilities definitely, more objective and accurate findings are being reported but still I believe the brain behind the machine is indispensable.

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The Interview was first published in Forensic Reporter March 2021 Issue.

Interviewed by: Bhargav Rathod, Executive Assistant, Legal Desire Media & Insights

The post In Conversation with Dr. O. P. Jasuja, Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Science, Chandigarh University, Punjab appeared first on Legal Desire Media and Insights.

Fisher is a member of many professional organizations. He is a Distinguished Fellow and past-president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and was awarded the Academy’s highest award, the Gradwohl Medallion. He served as president of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, president of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and a past chairman of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors – Laboratory Accreditation Board. He is a founding director and served on the Board of Directors of the National Forensic Science Technology Center from 1995 until 2007.

Fisher has been a member of several editorial boards: the Journal of Forensic Sciences, the Journal of Forensic Identification, Forensic Science Policy and Management, Forensic Science Research and the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Fisher is an alumni member of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents and a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and was a member of the IACP’s Forensics Committee.

His textbook, Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, in its 8th edition, enjoys wide popularity. He is a co-author of two other books, Forensics Demystified and Introduction to Criminalistics: The Foundation of Forensic Science. Fisher speaks throughout the United States and has lectured in Canada, England, Australia, Singapore, France, Israel, Japan, China, Turkey, Dubai, Portugal, India and Malaysia on forensic science laboratory practices, quality assurance, and related topics. In 2000, he led a forensic science delegation to lecture to forensic scientists in the People’s Republic of China. In 2012, he was invited again to China to lecture on forensic science developments in the United States. In 2017 he was invited to be a guest plenary speaker at a forensic science conference in Dubai.

Since retiring, Fisher has consulted for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigative Training Program (ICITAP) and Analytic Services Inc., a not-for-profit institute that provides studies and analyses to aid decision-makers in national security, homeland security, and public safety. He also consults on forensic science matters.

Fisher grew up in the Bronx in New York City and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the City College of New York. He holds a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Purdue University and an M.B.A. degree from California State University, Northridge. Barry and his wife Susan reside in Indio near Palm Springs, California. They have two married sons: David is a Professor of Practice and director of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Forensic Science Program, and Michael, an entrepreneur. He and Susan are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren!

Interview:

1. What inspired you to join the Forensics domain? Initially, how did you perceive the job profile?

It never occurred to me to be a forensic scientist. I studied chemistry in college and graduate school, earning a master’s of science degree. I met my future wife while in grad school and moved to Los Angeles. When I began looking for employment for a job in chemistry, I found there were few available that looked interesting to me. I had sent my resume to several places including the California Department of Human Resources, who contacted me about an opening at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Crime Lab. I applied, was accepted and began to work there on May 5, 1969.

2. As the head of the Crime Lab, you might have had the responsibility of capacity building of the lab. How challenging was this task?

Building capacity: personnel, instrumentation and laboratory space was always a challenge. It was necessary to clearly lay out needs with strong arguments for fiscal support. The best way I found to work was to explain the laboratories needs in terms of policies our parent agency was concerned about. For example, if drug abuse and drug related crimes was the concern, we would explain how more personnel and update laboratory equipment would assist in the department’s efforts.

Additional laboratory work space was more complicated. One idea that worked was to move several sections of the laboratory out of the main laboratory into a satellite facility. Los Angeles County had some older, unused space that was at one time a clinical laboratory near a major County hospital. We were able to get funds to renovated the space.

A bigger problem was dwindling space at our main laboratory. We decided to collaborate with a found local university which has a Criminal Justice and Criminalistics Department. We also brought in another major regional crime laboratory, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Scientific Investigations Division into the concept. We recommended a joint use building on the university’s campus and were able to obtain $96M from the State government. That along with funds from Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City allowed up to build a facility for each of our organizations us.

3. You have been affiliated to many organizations like American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), National Forensic Science Technology Center [NFSTC], American Society of Crime Laboratory [ASCLD] and many more. How did you manage to associate with these organizations despite having to work tirelessly for the lab?

Being involved with all of these organizations, in some cases as president (AAFS, ASCLD and IAFS) is challenging. I’ve always seen the value of collaboration with others in the profession. I was able to convince my superiors of the value of this sort of involvement and as long as I was able to get my job done at the laboratory, they were willing to allow me to be involved in these professional organization. Admittedly, it was a balancing act and somehow, I was able to accomplish it.

4. Despite the casework at the lab, you contributed to the accreditation of the Crime Lab. How arduous was this process during those early days? According to you how does an accreditation help a Crime Lab?  

I view laboratory accreditation as an essential aspect of running a modern forensic science laboratory. It is a daunting process to become an accredited laboratory. To accomplish it, I assigned a small team of forensic scientists to work on the details, of which there were many. Laboratory policies and procedures had to be in writing, quality assurance practices had to be clearly delineated and records had to be maintained of error made by the staff. Additionally, it was essential to have the laboratory staff willing to adopt the many changes required by accreditation standards.

5. There might have been various instances, when you were called for inspecting the crimes scenes by the IO/Police Unit. How demanding was it to deal with it compared to the lab work?

During the early years at the laboratory, I was subject to call-out to major crime scenes – mainly murder cases. Often times these were during off duty hours and frequently in the very early morning hours which meant I had to dress and head out the laboratory, scene. Initially, I was unsettled at working around dead victims. But over time that passed. Often, when calls came in during working hours, I was engaged with some other work which had to be set aside in order to leave for the crime scene investigation. Los Angeles County had several high crime areas and it was not uncommon to have back-to-back callout. In such cases it was essential to have made good notes about each case so as not to confuse details.

6. After the lab examination of the case evidences, you might have been called in the court of law on many instances as an expert witness in many normal and high-profile cases either from the Prosecutor/Defense side. What challenges were encountered by you while giving your opinion in the court and tips for giving a good expert testimony?

Before I started my career in forensic science, I was not especially good at public speaking. In fact, the prospect of speaking in public was frightening to me. Now I found myself in a profession where part of it required me to testify in court as an expert witness. My first few times were disconcerting. Over time I was able to overcome this problem, and began to look forward to testifying.

Nearly all my courtroom time was spent as a government witness. I can’t recall any case where I was a defense witness.

I recognized the juries tended to give a great deal of weight to what I testified to as an expert. Therefore, I took special care to explain my winding trying not to lean more to the prosecution or the defense. Testifying as an expert witness is an art. I had to learn what was acceptable and what was not permitted and not to become emotional involved when the “other side” tried to attack my credibility or my honesty as was sometime the case.

On occasion, I even tried to help a defense attorney out who was having difficulty in framing a question about what I did in my laboratory testing and my opinion.

7. You have authored 3 books related to Forensic Science which intrigues many students, professors, lawyers & researchers all around the world, as it covers the theory as well the practical aspects. How do you see the success of your contribution? What do you think makes your book more loved and read by people? 

I wrote these books for non-scientists (police investigators) to enable those entering into the field or as public safety persons who had occasion to use forensic science to understand how the testing was done and what sorts of interpretation might be reported. In addition, I devoted parts of the book to discussing some of the legal issues forensic scientists would be dealing with in the course of their carer as well as ethical consideration.

8. Most of the professionals working at various forensic/crime labs are overburdened by the casework. But you managed to indulge into research work in spite of all this. What approach did you follow to make it possible and what challenges were encountered?

We did little research. Most state and local labs in the States focused on case work. At times we’d work on improving procedures but research was mainly done in university settings and federal labs such as the FBI, DEA, etc.

9. It has been noted that a Crime/Forensic Laboratory receives an enormous amount of case exhibits for examination. As the head of the Crime Lab, how did you manage to handle the case exhibits from different cases? What approaches are required to clear the existing backlog and ensure that there is no delay in criminal prosecution?

Backlogs in cases is an ongoing challenge. We’ve tried to triage the cases and working the most serious ones first. However, political issues have often injected themselves into this model. For example, at one point, we decided to examine only cases where the prosecutor would change the perpetrator. The head of our police organization put an end to the scheme after political pressure from rape victims who argued that DNA test results might connect one case to others.

Often, we expended large amount of overtime to clear backlogs. But that is both costly and causes employee burnout. Finally, we always try for added staff. Sometimes that works and other times not. The downside of more staff is a need for added work space. We were able to enlist the aid of the California State government to aid us in the construction of a new facility which costed over $100M. This solution is the most problematic. Timing is everything and politicians have to be willing to offer that level of financial assistance.

10. To recognize your outstanding contribution to the Forensic Science, you might have received appreciation letters, awards and recognition from the government as well as private organizations. What are some of them? 

I’ve received a number of awards: from the County of Los Angeles, an outstanding service award; from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, the Briggs White Awards for excellence in management; and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences the Gradwohl Medallion for the exceptional achievement in forensic sciences.

11. Having worked for almost 4 decades in the Forensic Domain, do you still wish to contribute to this domain? How?

Absolutely. Once you’ve gotten the forensics “bug” it’s hard to stop being involved. Today, I am most happy to be a mentor to younger professional to help them out in their careers.

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Interviewed by Bhargav Rathod, Executive Assistant, Legal Desire Media & Insights.

Interview was published in Forensic Reporter March 2021 Issue.

The post In Conversation with Barry Fisher, Senior Forensic Science Consultant & Former Crime Lab Director appeared first on Legal Desire Media and Insights.

1. What inspired you to join the Forensic domain during those early days, and what is the driving force that lets you to stick onto this?

In our times, there were not many CSI shows and we were not very much aware of what exactly forensic science is. I would say providence led me to profession. But with the passage of time, I am now convinced that forensic science is a very noble profession, and I am getting more and more convinced that I was destined to be here. In forensic profession people often are disappointed with not getting enough and the lack of promotional avenues, but that is a result of the heightened expectations of professionals, and people in general from the forensic profession, that is a fallout of the “CSI effect”.

2. In modern times, the traditional crimes have evolved tremendously. In comparison to that, how have the investigation procedures evolved with that?

First, we need to keep in mind the difference between the forensic laboratory work and investigation. Investigation is the domain of the police. I often tell people not to confuse investigation with laboratory work, and this happens because they have a wrong concept that investigators and lab professional are same. The forensic experts sometimes also suffer from this role bias and try to infringe in the domain of the police, partly, because many of the forensic laboratories in India are under police control. Now, coming to your question, investigation has kept pace with the changing crime techniques, but not many forensic professionals are involved in this investigation, they only corroborate the investigation. As an example, in cyber crime investigation the police are competent to crack the cases, but the role of forensic analysts is confined to the analysis of the seized evidence.

3. With new advancements in technologies every now and then, how well equipped are the Forensic labs? How does a good lab infrastructure help the investigation?

There is no paucity of equipment and technology in the forensic laboratories nowadays. But there is a dire need of upgrading the skills of the forensic professionals, through training and continuing education, that unfortunately lacks in our country. There is also not any agency that certifies the competence of the examiners. For a successful investigation, the investigation professionals must be aware of the capabilities and limitations of the techniques available with the forensic laboratories, so that the investigation is kept on track. They should be able to pick the right evidence in optimum quantity, so as not to burden the forensic laboratories, as these laboratories are already facing backlogs due to increased number of cases and the stagnant human resources.

4. The key role in any investigation of case is the technical expertise of the field officers. What are the things to be taken in consideration while dealing with the evidence from the crime scene to the lab?

Documentation of the crime scene is most important. Documentation involving notes, sketches, photographs and video of the crime scene and the evidence therein. Proper documentation of the chain of custody is also important. Regardless of the technology used in the laboratory and the scientific expertise of the scientists, most of the acquittals take place because of the doubts casted on the integrity of the evidence.

5. There is a lack of discipline specific forensic science standards like NIST and OSAC in India. Should all Indian Forensic Science Labs follow a single standard or compliance while investigating any case or evidence?

A single standard is not necessary as long as the methods employed are based on sound scientific methodology and are validated prior to use. Laboratory developed methods can be used provided these are subjected to peer review and are accepted. According to the Daubert criteria of evidence admissibility, the potential error rates and limitations must also be known. Unfortunately, in our country there are not many peer reviewed journals in forensic science, but that should not deter the scientists to work and publish in international journals.

6. What is the need and importance of Research & Development in forensic science? Should the present curriculum related to forensic & investigative sciences stress more on R&D rather than just making them industry ready?

R&D is the need of the hour. The forensic curriculum should prepare the students to take up this challenge. Should inculcate the spirit of inquiry and logical thinking in the students. The forensic profession needs good communication skills in addition to some training in stress management. The students need to have a research aptitude and it is a common requirement of both the industry or research. I think there is a very fuzzy line between research and forensic practice.

7. In what ways can the R&D help in tackling the issues related to public safety & forensics?

Modern techniques like crime mapping and prediction can be helpful in investigation for that we need to collect data related to crimes and then use computers to analyse the same. There is an emerging discipline in forensic science, called forensic data science, that can be very helpful for public safety. One major issue that is of immediate concern in forensic science is the cognitive bias, that needs to be understood and mitigated so that the reports are reliable. There is also a need for more objective forensic reports that acknowledge the uncertainties in forensic science, and quantify this uncertainty. That calls for more stress on use of probability and statistics in forensic case work.

8. There are many Institutes of National Importance like IITs, NITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NFSU, RRU in India. How can these premier higher education institutes help in upgrading or setting up of state-of-the-art forensic facilities, capacity building & R&D in the Forensic domain?

Forensic professionals need to team up with experts from these institutes. Most of the professional are overburdened by the casework and express inability to take up research work. But they can definitely provide the domain knowledge for such research and can be active participants in collaborative research.

9. The researchers in the Forensic Domain complain that there is a huge gap between R&D and its actual implementation in everyday life. The Forensic Labs & professionals in India are reluctant to avail the newer techniques discovered by intensive or extensive research methodologies, whereas quicker to adapt and accept the techniques or technologies developed abroad. What are your views on this?

The old mindset of the professional is responsible for this. They need to upgrade their skills and adapt to the changing scenario of forensic science in the world.

10. Most of the Forensic Labs in India & abroad are backlogged with thousands of old cases while new cases are accumulated on a daily basis. What is the reason behind this and what steps are or should be taken to tackle this issue in your opinion?

Lack of human resources is one reason; the other is lack of awareness in investigators about the right amount of evidence items to be submitted to the lab. The first can be addressed by the use of computers and information technology and modern laboratory management principals. Further the investigators have to have a familiarity with the forensic setup, the techniques used and their limitations. Continuous training in forensic concepts should be imparted to them.

11. How has the Covid-19 situation affected the Forensic field? What all hardships are faced by Forensic Labs in India while handling a case or getting a new one?

The situation is unfortunate and there has been an atmosphere of general apprehension. But normal precautions can help as forensic science is not new to PP kits, face masks and protection from biological hazards. Most of the laboratories in India have been working during the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 era has given an opportunity of research and remote networking, that if adopted can be very helpful for the profession.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The Interview was published in Forensic Reporter December 2020 Issue.

The post In Conversation with Dr. Rajesh Verma, Deputy Director, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory [RFSL], Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India appeared first on Legal Desire Media and Insights.

Dr. J.R. Gaur worked at the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Haryana, Madhuban, Karnal as Scientific Assistant (Serology) initially. After that he was subsequently selected to head the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Himachal Pradesh as Assistant Director (Biology & Serology), Deputy Director & Director in the same laboratory till 2012. He also worked with Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPR&D], MHA Gol, New Delhi as Principal Scientific officer (Life Sciences). He is a well-known Forensic Scientist in India and abroad.

During his tenure of service Dr. Gaur examined and reported about 13,000 crime cases in the laboratory and he has examined about 650 scenes of crime. He also appeared for evidences in various Courts of Law in India in about 262 cases. He has been researching and writing scientific papers in Forensic Sciences ever since his induction in this field. He has about 150 publications to his credit in National as well as International journals of repute. Not only this, for the education of the public and all the wings of Criminal Justice System he has given 32 Radio Talks from All India Radio, Shimla on Forensic Sciences and allied subjects and also got telecasted six T.V. talk on Forensic Science from Door darshan, Shimla. Dr. Gaur has also written 8 books/booklets on Forensic Sciences.

On 13 occasions, Dr. Gaur has been given letters of appreciation by his seniors in the State Government for his excellent and meritorious performance in Forensic works. He has been a thorough and meticulous examiner of scientific evidences. He has worked in the fields of Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Biology, Forensic Serology and Scene of Crime examinations during his service and solved a number of ticklish cases in the country.

Interview:

1. What inspired you to join the forensic domain during those early days, when there wasn’t much awareness about forensics?

It is true that when I joined Forensics in the year 1978 at the Forensic Science Laboratory, Haryana, Madhuban (Karnal), India, there was not much awareness about forensics in India. It was by chance that I entered into this domain or in other words; I can say it was my destiny which brought me to this field. After having passed my MSc in Anthropology (Physical), I was working with Panjab University (Anthropology Department) as a Junior Research Fellow in the year 1977, in a project of Anthropological Survey of India. One day, one of my professors asked me, why should I not try for a job at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Haryana. I said sir, I don’t know if there is any Forensic Laboratory in Haryana.

In the meantime, after a few days, I got an interview letter from the regional employment exchange, Chandigarh for the post of Scientific Assistant (Serology). I appeared for the interview at FSL Haryana, Madhuban and was selected. I was the only eligible candidate for the seven vacant posts. Moreover, academically I was very sound and I have secured second position in the MSc batch in the university.

2. You were the key person that had the responsibility of capacity building of forensic labs in Himachal Pradesh. What challenges were faced by you while handling it and how did you manage to do all of it, while dealing with the casework at the same time?

I proceeded to Himachal Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory on deputation from Haryana as Assistant Director (Biology and Serology) on 2^nd of April, 1990. The Laboratory was initially established in the Police Barracks modified into Laboratories at Police Complex Bharari, Shimla. There was a skeleton staff consisting of one Assistant Director, two Scientific Officers, three Scientific Assistants, and four Lab Attendants. The Director was re-employed after retirement; who also left us at the beginning of 1993. We were running four divisions Biology & Serology, Chemistry & Toxicology, Document & Photography and Physics and Ballistics with this staff. Besides, we had to examine scenes of crime all over the state of Himachal Pradesh and also had to impart training to police on different forensic aspects.

I had to run from pillar to post in the government to get funds for creating infrastructure and for getting additional staff, which was given by the government from time to time. It was very difficult to convince the officers in the government on the Scientific aspects but I was successful in doing so. We had kept targets in the timeline for doing every work. No case report was kept pending beyond one week. So, there was no backlog. Our whole of the staff worked very dedicatedly. I got established one State Forensic Science Laboratory at Junga and two Regional Forensic Science Labs at Mandi and Dharamsala.

3. Being closely associated with academics and teaching process in various colleges and universities, the police personal, police and judicial academy and evaluating UG, PG, PGD and even PG and Ph.D. thesis during your course of service, how different was it, in comparison to doing casework in the lab?

Yes, teaching, training, and evaluation in various academic courses are different from casework. In case work, everything is practical, you have to carry out experiments; you have to perform tests on various exhibits as per SOPs in the manuals. But both works are intertwined and beneficial to each other, as for any examination in forensics you need to keep yourself academically updated with the latest developments, which helps you in the court testimony. While teaching Forensics to Police and Judiciary one comes to know their difficulties and requirements which helps one to carry out future innovations.

4. In times, when the phones and television were still luxury things and were not accessible to all, unlike now, you worked on a different but effective initiative to promote and impart awareness about forensic science among the common man via the radio talks. How did this come to your mind? Were the people excited to know about the forensic domain back then?

It came to my mind that radio was the communication medium available to most of the people in the society, whether they are in cities or the interior villages of the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, for the education of Police, Prosecution, Judiciary, Medical Officers and Defence Lawyers also in Forensics. I thought radio to be the best source as they also listened to the radio regularly. Moreover, communication through radio transmission was the most common and cheapest method of imparting education for the protection of the scene of crime. So, I did it. The people were so interested to know about Forensics that they requested the radio staff in various programs to broadcast the Forensic talks on various subjects. These programs created Forensic awareness in all the wings of the criminal justice system and the public at large. I remember in some cases public demanded the Forensic team at the scene of the crime and stated that they will permit police to enter the scene on the arrival of the forensic team. Thus, these talks generated public faith in forensics.

5. What challenges were encountered while dealing and processing the evidence submitted to the forensic lab by the police and various other government agencies during the early days when awareness about forensics was not much in the country?

Unsealed, putrefied, deteriorated exhibits came to the lab for want of knowledge of lifting, preservation, packing, and forwarding of the samples/exhibits. This caused a delay in examination and led to inconclusive reports. The cases had to be referred back to the forwarding agencies with the advice to do the needful so that the chain of custody is maintained, to seal the exhibits, and provide attested sample seals for comparison with the seals affixed on the parcels.

6. There might have been various instances when you were called for inspecting the crime scene by the IO/Police unit. How challenging was it to deal with it apart from the lab work?

I have successfully examined and reported about 650 crime scenes in my service. The work is challenging but very interesting. The success or failure of the investigation of a case starts from the scene of a crime. If the scene of crime has been examined meticulously and recorded in situ, it gives us every information like the motive behind the crime, time of the commission of the crime, point of entry and exit, number of accused, and type of weapons used, the identity of the victim and the accused, etc. The scenes of crime sometimes used to be in difficult locations/topography, one had to reach the place after walking several kilometers on foot, through the fields, forests, and hills even at the odd hours during night. So, it was entirely different from lab work.

7. After the lab examination of the case evidences, you might have been called in the court of law on many instances to testify about the particular case either from the Prosecutor/Defendant side. What challenges were encountered by you while giving your opinion in the court where the people lacked the scientific understanding about the forensics?

Yes, I have appeared in the courts for testimony in about 250 cases during my service. It is true that people don’t understand scientific jugglery in the courts of law. If the report has been given in the simple language then there is no problem. But you can’t omit every scientific word from the report, such terms have to be explained in the court. One must be thorough with the case file, case report, and the subject while giving testimony in the court of law One must avoid hypothetical questions, if it has to be replied, one should be tactful enough. Avoid answering in yes or no, if asked, must elaborate after answering in yes or no. It is rightly said, “Court is not a place of lively music.”

8. Many trainings are being undertaken by the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), New Delhi. How effective is it while working at the lab or crime scenes?

Trainings are the backbone of any professional in any department including forensics. These are highly effective for working in the lab and at the scenes of crime. The training should always be theoretical followed by practical to make these more fruitful.

9. Most of the professionals working at various FSLs are overburdened by the casework. But you managed to indulge in research work despite all this. How did you make it possible and what challenges did you encounter while doing so?

Yes, it is true most professionals working in FSLs are overburdened with casework as the manpower is not commensurate with the workload. But it does not mean that one should not carry out research work. Casework need based research work is always required in forensics. I used to do it on holidays or by devoting 2 to 3 hours daily before or after office timings and writing, computation and typing work used to be done at home. That is how I followed and carried out research work. My total working hours out 24 hours always had been 12 to 16 hours daily.

10. Do you collaborate on research projects with your colleagues at the lab? In your opinion, how important is it to do so?

Yes, it is very important to involve your colleagues in the research projects to impart them training and know-how of research in a field. It also helps to prepare second in command scientists as future commanders. Moreover, scientific research is a teamwork and give and take of ideas. The teamwork always leads to better completion of various research projects in time.

11. Having worked for almost 4 decades in the Forensic Domain, do you still wish to contribute to the domain? How?

Yes, I still wish to contribute to the domain and still I am contributing. I worked in FSL Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for nearly a little above 34 years. After my retirement as Director FSL from H.P. in 2012, I worked in BPR&D, MHA, GOI for nearly three and half years as Principal Scientific Officer (Life Science), till march 2016. Ever since then, I have been teaching forensics in various police judicial and academic institutions as guest or visiting faculty. Now again I have joined as Director, School of Forensic Science and Risk Management at the Rashtriya Raksha University (An Institution of National Importance) at Lavad, Dahegam, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat, India. I am teaching postgraduate students and researchers online at present and shall further carry out research in those forensic fields which are unexplored or little-explored till now.

12. Contributing to the Forensic Field from all these years How has your work been recognized in the community?

My work has been recognized as it has been published in National and International Journals of repute and has been cited very widely. I have received appreciation letters on 13 occasions from the Himachal Judiciary, Police and the government of Himachal Pradesh.

Moreover, I have been honored by the Chief Minister of Haryana in January 2004 in the 15^th All India Forensic Science Conference at Karnal for providing best Forensic Science Services to the society. I also received Union Home Minister’s award for meritorious services in Biological Sciences in 1998, Forensic Science Excellence Award of the Union Home Ministry in 2003, Pandit Gobind Vallabh Pant Puruskar of BPR&D, MHA, GoI in 2006, Bharat Gaurav Award of India International friendship Society in 2016 and last but not the least I received Union Home Ministers Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 for Outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of Forensic Sciences.

The interview was published in Forensic Reporter January 2021 Issue.

The post In Conversation with Dr. J.R. Gaur, Director, School of Forensic Science and Risk Management [SFSRM], Rashtriya Raksha University [RRU] appeared first on Legal Desire Media and Insights.

Gandhi KPC unshells about the way to combat the crime in present world. Dr. K.P.C. Gandhi is a forensic scientist who is the founder of Truth labs, India’s first independent forensic lab and Truth Finders, India’s first Professional Detective agency equipped with Forensic Technologies. He is also the co-founder of Genome Foundation, which aims to quickly translate the benefits of Human Genome Project to the common man of India. Dr. Gandhi started two non-profit organizations, Crime Stoppers and Truth Labs, to enable people to fight crime and injustice. While the former helps address the grievances of the common man when it comes to crime information reporting while the latter is already helping many victims directly in the speedy disbursal of justice besides helping Police, Courts, Banks, MNCs etc. He works for this cause in hopes to see a crime free society some day.

2. A peephole to the criminal mind | Dr. Vaya S.L. | TEDxBocconiUMumbai

Why do we do what we do? An intriguing question in itself, becomes more complex when you wonder why criminals do what they do. Where exactly does the train of thought derail when it comes to a normal mind that forces them to have criminal tendencies? A fascinating topic such as this, which has undergone and is undergoing an extraordinary amount of research around the globe has been illustrated beautifully by Dr. SL Vaya,

Dr. SL Vaya has been at the forefront of forensic psychology in India. She is the first NABL accredited forensic psychologist in India and has established National Resource Center for Forensic Psychology. She has established various procedures for suspect interrogations by adapting behavior profiling, polygraph examination, narcoanalysis, brain signature profiling, forensic brainwave analysis, layered voice analysis and suspect detection system. She is the first and the only recipient of the prestigious Union Home Ministers Lifetime Achievement Award from Gujarat for her outstanding contribution in the field of forensic sciences. Dr.SL Vaya has been at the forefront of forensic psychology in India. She is the first NABL accredited forensic psychologist in India and has established National Resource Center for Forensic Psychology. She has established various procedures for suspect interrogations by adapting behavior profiling, polygraph examination, narcoanalysis, brain signature profiling, forensic brainwave analysis, layered voice analysis and suspect detection system. She is the first and the only recipient of the prestigious Union Home Ministers Lifetime Achievement Award from Gujarat for her outstanding contribution in the field of forensic sciences. She is currently serving as the Director of School of Criminology and Behavioural Sciences at Rashtriya Raksha University [An Institution of National Importance], Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

3. Forensic Science | Malini Subramaniam | TEDxJaipuriaInstituteofManagementNoida

Importance of Forensic Science in solving complex cases of crime. Dr. Subramaniam is one of the finest forensic experts globally. A doctorate in clinical psychology she has over 30 years of professional experience comprising of distinguished academic, clinical and forensic experience.

4. Odontology – A road less traveled! | Dr. Hemlata Pandey | TEDxHindujaCollege

Dr. Hemlata Pandey is a well-established active practitioner in the field of Forensic Odontology. She has brought justice to rape victims through her expert testimonies in the court and, has also helped in various CBI investigations. We can all see, but she is the one who observes. Dr. Hemlata comes out bold and strong in performing her duties. She makes sure that no stone is left unturned. Her attributions are enduring when it comes to forensic investigation. In her talk, she shares with everyone her story and the choice of choosing an unconventional career path. Dr. Hemlata Pandey is a well-established active practitioner in the field of Forensic Odontology. She has trained extensively with renowned experts in United Kingdom (Wales, UK) during her MSc. in Forensic Odontology. She has brought justice to rape victims through her expert testimonies in the court and, has also helped in CBI investigations.

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