Uttar Pradesh Police is strengthening its crime scene investigation capabilities by developing a specialised team of 32 police officers trained in forensic science and crime scene management.
The officers are currently undergoing advanced training at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), Lucknow). Following completion of the programme, their expertise is expected to support and strengthen crime scene management and scientific investigation practices across all 75 districts of the state.
32 Officers Selected from 600 Trained Personnel
The specialised team has been selected from a group of 600 police officers who previously underwent extensive training in crime scene investigation.
The 600 officers were trained in six batches, with each batch receiving a 40-day training programme. After completing their training, they were also involved in training other police personnel in their respective districts.
Based on their performance, 32 officers have now been selected for advanced-level training in forensic science and crime scene management.
According to Dr. G.K. Goswami, Founder Director of UPSIFS, the advanced programme places particular emphasis on practical skills. Simulated crime scenes are being created to assess the officers’ ability to identify, document, collect and preserve forensic evidence.
Training Focuses on Evidence Collection and Crime Scene Documentation
The specialised training covers several critical aspects of crime scene investigation, including:
- Crime scene search and seizure procedures
- Preparation of crime scene notes
- Crime scene photography and videography
- Identification and documentation of physical evidence
- Scientific collection and preservation of evidence
- Fingerprint evidence collection
- Collection and preservation of blood and other biological samples
- Maintaining the integrity and continuity of evidence
The objective is to ensure that important evidence present at a crime scene is not overlooked, contaminated or improperly handled during the investigation.
Practical Training Under Different Crime Scene Conditions
The officers are also being trained to manage crime scenes under different environmental and operational conditions.
Training exercises include simulated crime scenes conducted during both day and night. Officers are also exposed to scenarios involving attempts to destroy, conceal or manipulate evidence at a crime scene.
Such exercises are designed to improve their ability to secure crime scenes, identify relevant evidence and maintain the integrity of the evidence throughout the investigation process.
Emphasis on Hands-On Forensic Training
Rather than relying solely on classroom-based lectures, the programme places significant emphasis on hands-on and experiential learning.
Officers receive expert instruction while also practising evidence identification, collection, preservation and crime scene documentation in simulated environments.
The training aims to strengthen the connection between crime scene management, forensic evidence and subsequent police investigation.
Strengthening Scientific Investigation Across Uttar Pradesh
The development of the specialised group of 32 officers represents the next stage of Uttar Pradesh Police’s broader effort to improve scientific crime investigation.
Their expertise is expected to be utilised for further training of police personnel across the state’s districts, potentially strengthening the collection and preservation of forensic evidence at the crime scene level.
The initiative seeks to improve the way forensic evidence is handled from the initial crime scene through the investigation, helping investigators build cases based on properly documented and scientifically preserved evidence.