Inculcating scientific temper amongst first responders to crime
- Indian Journal of Public Administration
- 68(1), Mar, 2022: p.75-83
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights directs the member nations to create such conditions under which the ideals of free human beings, enjoying civil and political freedom from fear and want, can be achieved. The Constitution of India, through its various Articles, strives to ensure security and safety of citizens in accordance with the principles of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, crime is a violation of these principles. In a country like India, where a large section of population is uneducated, social set-up is heterogeneous, public–police relations are not very cordial, poverty is rampant and unemployment widespread, it is not surprising that crime rate is increasing exponentially. In a majority of serious crime cases, hi-tech measures are being adopted by perpetrators. However, the police personnel who visits the scene of crime as the first responder may not be holding an academic degree in science and technology. Yet the decisions of the first officer bear a strong influence on the eventual outcome of the criminal investigation. It is, therefore, pertinent that they must receive training and guidance to inculcate the spirit of scientific temperament in decision-making. –Reproduced
Crime scene, First responder, Investigate star, Suspect, Victim.