clues teams

Chapter 8 Utility of clues teams and police dog squads at scene of occurrence.
CLUES team is to be utilized for collecting evidence.
Crime lab ultimate evidence-collection system.
In sensational and important cases, clues team should be requisitioned immediately for physical inspection and for assessment of the damage, risk potential and the nature of explosion. The experts, who inspect the scene of explosion, will be in a position to collect relevant material for chemical analysis as well as make an in-depth study of the damage and risk assessment.
Mobile Scientific Investigating Units- Clues Teams
APPM ORDER : 554-1. Mobile Scientific Investigating Units briefly named as “CLUES” teams are being established in each District and each city zone to assist the Investigating Officers in Crime Scene Processing, Reconstruction and in all other matters requiring scientific and technical, investigative support to the District / City Police. Scientific Officer/Scientific Assistant borne on the strength of Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory heads these teams. They will report to the Director, APFSL in all scientific and technical matters, who in turn will constantly and regularly monitor, review and supervise their work regarding their technical functioning. However they will work under the functional and operational control of the Supdt. of Police/Commissioner of Police of the respective districts/cities for operational efficiency and convenience and the SP/CP will inspect the CLUES team annually and initiate their ACRs. The Scientific Officers / Scientific Assistants will be assisted by a Lab Technician / Photographer cum Videographer borne on the strength of APFSL. A Fingerprints Expert of the rank of C.I/S.I/A.S.I borne on the strength of FPB/SCRB will be attached to the CLUES team.
2. The Director APFSL will provide a Vehicle and other equipment as given below.
A. Maruthi Omni Van or any other suitable vehicle
B. Crime Scene Recording Equipment• Video Camera • Digital Photo Camera • 35mm SLR Camera
C. Crime Scene Searching Equipment• Poli Ray – Multiple Wavelength Light • White Beam Search Lights-EURO – 2 Nos.
D. Physical Evidence Lifting Equipment• Advanced Physical Evidence Collection Kit • Sunken Foot Print Collection Kit • Electrostatic Dust Print Lifting Kit • Microsil (Tool marks, FP, Bite mark Lifting Kit) • Blood Evidence Collection Kit E. Micro Examination Equipment• Binocular Microscope • Flash Light MagnifierF. Spot Test Kits• Narcotic Test Kit • Explosive Test Kit
G. Finger Prints Developing Equipment • Cyanowand Kit • Fluorescence Powders • Fluorescence Magna Powders • Universal Powders • Feather Brush Powder Applicators • Magnetic Powder Applicators
H. Personal Computer with Modem and Printer for Data Storage, Exchange and TransmissionJ. Furniture and fixtures
3. The SP/CP of the District/City will provide the following infrastructure /man power/resources for smooth and effective functioning of CLUES team.
A. Suitable accommodation in SP/CP office (size 5M x 6M) with provision for dark room with necessary power and water supplies.B. Two PC drivers for the Mobile Vehicle to operate round the clock and one home guard for assisting the staff in crime scene processing.C. Fuel for the vehicle and its maintenance.D. Consumables such as films, video cassettes, floppy drives, batteries, camera cells, colour photo rolls, packing material, stationery etc., for day to day operation payment of repair charges for minor repair of cameras, video cameras etc.E. Telephone connectivity for the computers to transmit online data and images of crime scene between the districts and FSL headquarters.F. Budget for colour photograph printing, minor repairs of the equipment.G. VHF/UHF wireless set for fixing to CLUES team Vehicle for communication. H. Extension telephone from city/district police exchange for office and residence of Scientific Officer/Scientific Assistant and Finger Print Inspector.
The duties and responsibilities of Mobile CLUES team are given below4-A. Video recording of the crime scenes, along with the surroundings (including approach, entry and exit route of the culprits). B. Photograph the vital clues from all perspectives using 35 mm Camera and Digital Camera. C. Sketch the crime scene covering the place of occurrence and clues therein. D. Systematic search for physical evidence other than what is visible and obvious.E. Collection of all visible physical evidence by appropriate tools and techniques. F. Collection of partially visible physical evidence such as blood, dust, fingerprints, fibres, footprints, hair, stains, marks and other microscopic evidence or any thing that is likely to have been left behind or stays behind the offenders that are useful for establishing linkages.G. To extend all possible assistance and guidance to the investigating officers. In collection of control samples collection of control physical evidence such as casts of footprints, shoe prints and other track marks; collection of tool marks on metals, wood, plastics and other medias, collection of controls and standards for all classes of physical evidence, especially in the matter of questioned documents, DNA fingerprints etc., and assisting the Investigating Officers in properly labeling, marking and preparing the Letter of Advice. H. Proper preservation and packing of physical evidence and handing over to the I.O for forwarding to the FSL or other authorities concerned. I. To co-ordinate with the Medical Officers, Bomb Disposal team officers or other scientific experts for prompt inspection of the scene of crime/victim/suspect.J. Preliminary analysis of clues such as blood stains, semen, soil, paint, glass, hair, fibre and other routinely occurring evidence materials like stains, marks etc., so as to give leads to the Investigating Officers in the matter of proper collection of right samples for analysis. K. Preliminary examination of tool marks on heavy vehicles such as buses, lorries, tractors, or light vehicles, cars, scooters etc., and other objects such as weapons, household articles, furniture, fixtures, machinery, and other non movable heavy articles. L. Preliminary examination of explosive residues in cases of bomb explosions and examination of ingredients of defused bombs. In case of live bombs seized or recovered by Investigating Officers such examination should be done only after diffusion by the Bomb diffusion teams.M. Physical and mental reconstruction of crime scene in close association with the investigating officers which may help the investigating officers in getting right leads for apprehension of offenders. N. To impart theoretical and practical training in scientific methods to the Police Officers and assist the SP/CP in conducting district level police competitions. O. To act as liaison officer between the District/City/Zonal Police Administration and District/Regional FSLs or FSL Hqrs. and to discharge any other scientific or technical functions as required by the Zonal/District/Sub Divisional Police Officers and Main/Regional/District FSL authorities from time to time. P. In short, the scientist in charge of CLUES team will act as PA (scientific) or scientific advisor to the SP/CP concerned in all matters relating to scientific criminal investigation processes.
Requisition of CLUES Team Mandatory in certain types of cases
5. It is mandatory for the Investigating officers to seek the assistance of the CLUES teams in cases involving/relating to a) explosions, b) firearms, c) arson, d) dowry deaths, e) homicide, f) property offences, g) mass disasters, h) road/train accidents, i) custodial deaths, j) use of force by police, k) industrial accidents and any other sensational crimes. Failure to requisition the services of the CLUES teams in the above types of cases will entail an appropriate disciplinary action.
DOG SQUADS:
The dogs are considered to be the most effective and reliable explosive sniffers available today in the world. The dogs are extensively used in VVIP security, places of international meetings for anti sabotage check of aircraft air port buildings, railway stations and other places of public gathering. Experience has shown that dogs can sniff the explosive hidden underground, give positive indication of empty brief case which carried explosive six days ago. They can also be used for tracking of animals and human beings, guarding, detection of narcotics, detection of mines and explosives, locating leaks in the pipeline, avalanche rescue, medical diagnosis, locating termite infestation, detecting contraband food and plants, locating solid waste disposal site, act as guide accelerants, at suspected arson sites, infantry patrol dogs. The dogs are trained in basic obedience for three months and a specialized training for six months.
Commands: heel, stay, jump, crawl.Specialized: scent based detection and indication.