Mobile Forensic Van in India

Introduction

“Mobile Forensic Van” (MFV) is being launched by Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) and Helik Advisory Ltd which helps in reaching the crime scene at the earliest to assist the Investigating Officers (IOs) in identifying and collecting relevant forensic evidence from the crime scene, victims & from suspects which are the primary sources of forensic evidence. The Mobile Forensic Team assists the Investigating Officer in linking the crime with the perpetrator through the forensic evidence, collected from the crime scene, victims and suspects.[1] The high-tech vehicle enables the staff in carrying out the investigation smoothly at the crime spot as all the necessary technical equipment is available at their disposal due to the mobile forensic van. The vehicle was designed in 2012 with the help of Mumbai-based company Helik Advisory Ltd. The van costs around Rs. 35 lakhs to 40 lakhs. [2]

The purpose of crime scene investigation is to identify what had happened at the scene and to identify the person responsible for the crime. The conditions at the crime scene and the physical evidence present at the crime scene help in identifying the culprit. The law enforcement officer plays a vital role in determining what physical evidence will be used and then collecting it. These evidences are usually sent to forensic labs for identification. But with the introduction of MFV, this process has been made less cumbersome. The presence of a forensic van at the crime scene itself makes the process less time-consuming. It provides a workstation for identification, examination, collection, and storage of the evidence right at the crime scene itself. Also, the fear of the evidence being destroyed or tampered with due to poor transportation or weather ceases with the invention of MFV.

Features of Mobile Forensic Van

The “Mobile Forensic Van” is unique. It is air-conditioned and is equipped with modern amenities to undertake spot tests in a laboratory environment at the crime scene itself. It has all the facilities to assist the IOs in carrying out the preliminary spot tests and even in packing the collected forensic evidence. It has also the facility to sketch and take photographs of a crime scene, both in still & video modes. It has all the latest forensic tools & kits along with the special Multi-tunable Light Source which has 8 different wavelengths, thereby enhancing the detection capabilities for Latent Fingerprints, Body Fluids, Hairs & Fibers, Gunshot Residues/ Explosive residues, bite marks, Questioned Documents, Tire Tracks, Shoe Prints, Narcotic Drugs, etc. Crime scene management experts, specially trained in GFSU, for this purpose, are available to manage the “MFV”.[3]

Role and Functions of Mobile Forensic Van

Collecting and analysing evidence from the crime scene becomes quicker with the help of a Mobile forensic van. The mobile teams have the infrastructure to lift samples, narcotic and psychotropic substances, arson and other chemical substances, biological evidence, and physical evidence. Some of these can be analysed on the spot by the team to give cops an idea about the nature of the crime. These mobile units reach the crime scene instantly and help in identifying the clue materials. It is not possible for the police to save and secure the crime scene for a longer period and evidence may get putrefied with time. Quicker visits of the forensic team would ensure proper collection and packaging of evidence from the place of the occurrence of crime and would also help in solving cases faster.[4] The role of both mobile forensic van and forensic lab is similar in nature. Although the functions carried out by the forensic labs are much larger in scale as the mobile van has its limitations due to its size. Thus we can say that the role of the mobile forensic van is :

1. Providing professional and technical assistance to the investigating officers to recognize appropriate evidence materials at the scene of the crime, followed by proper collection and preservations of the said materials so recognized, and dispatch of the relevant materials to the laboratory for examination.
2.  Preliminary analysis of the clue materials at the scene of the crime and thereafter forensic analysis of the clue materials by the latest analytical methodologies in the laboratory.
3.  Interpretation of the forensic results so obtained.[5]

Scientific kits available in the forensic van[6]

1. Crime Scene Investigation Kit:
   • Spray making paint
   • Barrier and warning tape
   • Digital distance measuring device
   • Small battery-operated UV light
   • Molded plastic evidence containers
   • Fire tins, set of forceps
   • Electric test master screwdriver
   • Glass cutter, wire cutter
   • File, Scalpel, Gloves
2. DNA Sample Collection Kit:
   • Buccal swab with protector cover
   • EDTA vials
   • Urine vials
   • Paper bags
   • Syringes, etc.
3. Semen Detection and Collection Kit:
   • Spot test card of acid phosphate test
   • Microscopic plane glass slides
   • Paper envelops
   • Evidence identification labels
4. Explosive Detection Kit:
   • TNT/PETN/RDX/NITRATE/Picric acid and its salt
   • TATP/HNTD
   • Chlorate/Bromate
   • Urea Nitrate
   • Gun powder, Ammonium nitrate
5. Multi Tunable Light source Kit:
   • Led Light source with inbuilt rechargeable battery
   • Eight different wavelengths – UV, blue, violet, cyan, green, gold, red, and white
   • UV safety and contrast spectacles, filters, etc.
6. Latent Fingerprint Development Kit
7. Other kits include a bullet hole testing kit, swab dryer and swab, blood detection kit, impression evidence, forensic light source, and photo documentation kit among other things.

Benefits of a Mobile Forensic Van[7]

1. Reduced response time: The van can reach the crime scene at the earliest. This paces up collection and analysis at the crime scene. Otherwise, all the evidence is required to be transported to the laboratories for tests. Thus, it makes the process less time-consuming.
2. On-scene spot test/field test: The mobile van has all the facilities to assist the investigator in carrying out the tests.
3. Evidence identification and collection: It has enhanced tools and equipment required for the identification and collection of varieties of evidence.
4. Evidence storage and transport: Equipped with build-in cabinetry, refrigerated storage, and a controlled environment inside the van, the evidence collected can be stored and transported to the laboratory in proper and recommended storage facilities.
5. Special customizable forensic mobile vans: Custom manufactured crime scene vans enable technicians to conduct extensive evidence collection and processing. Whether you are investigating homicide scenes, meth labs, or arson scenes. A customized mobile van can help in conducting chemical tests for any situation.

Distribution over India

These Mobile forensic vans are currently being used in the following states:

• 2 Mobile Forensic Van at Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories, Rohini Delhi.
• 13 Mobile Forensic Van at Directorate of Forensic Science, Gujarat State Gandhinagar
• 45 Mobile Forensic Van to Maharashtra State Government.
• 1 Mobile Forensic Vans to Nepal Government.[8]

Examples – Palghar police after receiving the mobile van stated that they can collect samples faster which ensures that the evidence is not lost due to time lag or environmental reasons.[9] The Mumbai police had said that although the vans are useful in conducting tests but since they aren’t trained they have to wait or the forensic expert to arrive at the crime scene. So even if the van is present at the scene, tests cannot be carried out immediately.[10]

Many international countries have been using the mobile forensic van in scene management and processing for a quite long time now. Some of these countries include the United Kingdom, the US, Australia, France, and Pakistan. In some countries, they have forensic vans customized for different types of major crimes, such as homicide cases which require time-consuming and thorough examination scenes.[11]

Conclusion

The implementation of a mobile forensic van has proved to be useful in many ways. The forensic analysis of evidence is a time-consuming process due to the various stages of identification and examination involved. It has sped up the forensic investigation process. The presence of the forensic van at the crime scene saves the time of transportation to the lab to run the tests. The probability of the evidence being lost or tampered with due to time gaps or environmental reasons also reduces with the help of a forensic van. The role of the MFV is similar to that of any forensic lab which is to examine, analyse and interpret evidence to help law enforcement agencies. But the function of a van may differ depending upon the situation at the crime scene. Also, the usage of mobile forensic vans is increasing due to their increase in demand as it reduces the response time and comes to the aid of the police force.

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References:

[1] Mobile Forensic Van, HELIK ADVISORY, http://helik.in/oldsite/MFV.shtml.

[2] Gujarat Forensic Sciences University designed forensic vans go beyond the borders, DNA (Aug. 27, 2018), https://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-gujarat-forensic-sciences-university-designed-forensic-vans-go-beyond-the-border-2655269.

[3] Crime Investigation, PSGLOBAL, http://www.psgforensic.com/crime-investigation-van-compact-model/.

[4] Delhi: Forensic labs to have 14 mobile crime scene units, THE TIMES OF INDIA, Sep 21, 2018.

[5] Functions of Forensic Science Laboratory, WB FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY, http://www.wbfsl.gov.in/functionsfsl.html.

[6] Parth Chauhan, Mobile Forensic laboratory, SLIDESHARE (Oct. 19, 2017), https://www.slideshare.net/PARTHCHAUHAN26/mobile-forensic-van-mfv.

[7] Sindhal Kumar Desai, Mobile Forensic Van, STUDOCU, https://www.studocu.com/in/.

[8]Supra note 1

[9] Ujjayini Das Panigrahi, Palghar Police gets it own mobile forensic van, THE HINDU, Sept. 30, 2016.

[10] Mohamed Thaver, Maharashtra: Year on, cops to be trained to use mobile forensic vans, THE TIMES OF INDIA, Jul. 25, 2017.

[11] Supra note 7.