CSS Solved Criminology Past Paper 2020 | Importance of Modern Techniques Used for Crime Detection in Pakistan
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has inquired about criminal investigation as well as its principles. The above query comprises of three main components that require explanation which include; definition of criminal investigation, its principles and the importance of modern techniques used for crime detection in Pakistan. Aspirants should start their answer by defining criminal investigation and explaining its principles. Then, the significance of modern techniques of crime detection in Pakistan should be explained with examples. Addition of scholarly references, definitions and examples will make the answer outstanding. Moreover, flow charts, diagrams, tables and relevant quotations can further ameliorate the quality of the answer.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Defining Criminal Investigation
3-Principles of Criminal Investigation
- ✓Adherence to Due Process: Principle of Legality
- ✓Objectivity and Neutrality
- ✓Preservation of Evidence
- ✓Scientific Inquiry over Coercion
- ✓Punctuality and Prompt Action
- ✓Protecting the Chain of Custody through Proper Documentation
4-Importance of Modern Techniques Used for Crime Detection in Pakistan
- ✓Forensic Science and DNA Analysis
- ✓Cyber Forensics
- ✓Smart Surveillance and Deterrence
- ✓Biometric Verification
- ✓Geo-Fencing and Forensic Accounting Techniques
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Curzon defined criminal investigation as “a legal process which aims at finding out the culprit and collecting evidence”. The backbone of criminal justice system is considered to be criminal investigation as it changes suspicions and doubts into legally accepted proofs. In the 13th century, the King of England introduced two systems, Justice of Peace and Perish Constable, which were valid until 1829 and introduced criminal investigation. In Pakistan, the Section 156 to 170 of Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 empowers the SHO or an officer authorized by SHO to conduct investigation. The principles of criminal investigation guarantee legitimacy, transparency and moral behavior amid the process. In addition, they assist in gathering proper evidence, safeguarding individual rights and ensuring justice. In the contemporary era of terrorism, cybercrimes, transnational criminal networks and organized crime, traditional models for criminal investigation are insufficient. While Pakistan is facing these challenges, the country employs modern investigative techniques in order to guarantee effective crime detection as well as fair trials. According to a 2024 report by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the conviction rate in Pakistan is less than 15% in heinous crimes and one of the foremost reasons behind it is weak investigation. In “The Politics of the Police”, Robert Reiner explains,
“Effective investigation is the cornerstone of public confidence in criminal justice.”
Defining Criminal Investigation
Criminal investigation is a lawful and systematic process which involves the collection, preservation, analysis and presentation of evidence in order to identify criminals and proof the guilty or innocent in the court of law. The term investigation is derived from a Latin word ‘investigatum’ that refers to ‘track, footprints or following the footprints’. Criminal investigation is an art as well as a science of digging out the truth in criminal activities of suspects. The Section 4(L) of Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (CrPC) defines criminal investigation as,
“All the proceedings conducted by the police officer for the purpose of collection of evidence and digging out the truth.”
The Pakistan Law Journal (PLJ) 2018 explains that it is the duty of investigating officer to trace out the real culprit and exonerate the innocent people by conducting fair, just and impartial criminal investigation. According to Paul B. Weston, criminal investigation can be defined as,
“The art and science of discovering the truth about criminal acts and identifying the perpetrators through legally acceptable methods.”
Principles of Criminal Investigation
Figure 1: Principles of Criminal Investigation
Adherence to Due Process: Principle of Legality
Each and every step of a criminal investigation should be in compliance with the constitution as well as legislation in order to ensure admissibility of evidence in a court of law. According to Article 14(2) of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan as well as Articles 37 to 39 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984, confessions obtained under torture, pressure or illegal detention are void from a legal point of view. As soon as the investigating officers ignore procedural requirements like making unlawful searches or breaching section 103 of the CrPC, even guilty culprits enjoy acquittal on a technical basis.
Objectivity and Neutrality
The investigating officer is required to have an open and impartial mind while conducting his investigations and gather evidence which may be against as well as for the accused, without any prejudice. Instead of succumbing to the tendency of confirmation bias or “tunnel vision” in which the police manufactures stories to prove the guilt of an initial suspect, impartiality requires a test of various hypotheses. According to the judicial philosophy of Pakistani superior courts and contemporary policing doctrines, selective investigation or “pick and choose” investigation leads to injustice and loss of credibility.
Preservation of Evidence
Following the principle of Edmond Locard, “Every Contact Leaves a Trace”, the first step of protecting the crime scene becomes crucial in order to avoid any form of contamination or interference in the environment from any external sources. The evidence found at the crime scene including traces of blood, fingerprints, ballistic shell casings, and digital items are easily destroyed or affected by unauthorized individuals or spectators. In this regard, SOPs developed by the Punjab Police require that the crime scenes be cordoned off immediately upon arrival and only forensics experts gain access.
Scientific Inquiry over Coercion
A contemporary process of criminal investigation relies not on coercion but on the methodical application of hypothesis testing, empirical observation, and laboratory confirmation. Through combining the elements of forensic pathology, toxicology, and behavioral analysis, the criminologist is able to discover the MO and underlying criminogenic motivations of the crime. This is done not based on potentially unreliable testimony or coerced confessions but through concrete scientific evidence. There can be various underlying causes of the crime as explained by the Sociological and Psychological School of Criminology which can be understood through scientific inquiry.
Punctuality and Prompt Action
In the investigation of criminal cases, time becomes very crucial for the preservation of physical evidences and memory of the human beings. “Justice delayed is justice denied” has been followed in this situation wherein timely registration of FIR through Section 154 CrPC and the speedy movement of the investigating team to the crime spot becomes necessary to avoid escape of the suspect, witness tampering, and destruction of evidences. Delayed process makes forensic evidences get spoiled and memories fade away.
Protecting the Chain of Custody through Proper Documentation
The process of meticulously documenting every step in writing, through photographs, and electronically provides an irrefutable record that can be evaluated by the court. Chain of custody is the core of this concept which is a chronologically maintained record that includes every person who either collects, handles, transfers, or analyzes the piece of evidence from crime scene to court. It is common practice in Pakistan for defense lawyers to raise doubts about the authenticity of evidence through loopholes in the police diary (Zimnis) or sealed forensic packages.
Importance of Modern Techniques Used for Crime Detection in Pakistan
Forensic Science and DNA Analysis
The cases that are investigated using forensic evidence depict 35 to 40 percent higher conviction rates. Moreover, due to the modern forensic science and DNA analysis, cybercrime complaints have increased by over eighty percent from 2020 to 2024. Punjab Forensic Science Agency reported that between 2023 and 2024, almost forty percent convictions related to murder cases were improved because of the DNA-based investigations. Also, in Zainab Ansari case of Kasur, DNA evidence had set a landmark precedent and helped in solving the case.
Cyber Forensics
Digital and cyber forensics are incorporated for investigation of online harassment, social media crimes, cyber fraud and terrorist financing. In 2024, the Cyber Crime Wing of Federal Investigative Agency received more than one lac complaints. Digital trails and tracking IP addresses assist in solving online blackmail cases.
Smart Surveillance and Deterrence
Through CCTV surveillance and Safe City Projects, vehicle tracking and facial recognition of offenders has become easier. More than thirty percent reduction in street crimes was envisioned in the monitored zones, as reported by the Lahore Safe City Authority. For instance, CCTV footage also played a crucial role in identifying suspects in various criminal cases on motorway particularly, of robbery etc.
Biometric Verification
NADRA and biometric verification helps in acquiring the fingerprint and facial recognition of the offender. Furthermore, it also helps in verifying the criminal record of the suspect. For instance, in cases related to terrorism, data from NADRA assists in tracing the fake identities as well as unidentified bodies.
Geo-Fencing and Forensic Accounting Techniques
Geo-fencing and Call Detail Records (CDRs) are substantially used in cases of terrorism, kidnapping and organized crime. For example, geo-fencing helped the counter terrorism departments (CTDs) in dismantling the militant networks. On the other hand, the financial and forensic accounting techniques are incorporated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) and investigations related to State Bank of Pakistan. For example, through digital financing trails, the cases of money laundering and corruption are detected.
Critical Analysis
Though criminal investigation in Pakistan has made considerable progress by adopting advanced forensic and technological equipment however, the efficacy of investigations is undermined by the structural and institutional weaknesses. The transformation from policing based on confession via torture to evidence-based investigation is in accordance with the principles of objectivity, legality, punctuality and scientific inquiry. Nonetheless, the implementation faces myriad of challenges across various provinces of Pakistan. For example, while Punjab envisions advancement due to Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), limited forensic infrastructure in rural Sindh and Balochistan is creating disparities in ensuring delivery of justice. In spite of digital forensics and CCTV surveillance, the conviction rates are lower in serious cases primarily, because of weak prosecution-investigation coordination, lack of trained personnel and improper handling of evidence. According to Deterrence Theory in criminology, certainty of crime detection proves to be more effective as compared to the severity of punishment however, delayed investigations minimize this certainty. Furthermore, Procedural Justice emphasizes transparency and fairness in criminal investigations to foster public confidence however, credibility is compromised because of political interference and coercion. Therefore, despite incorporating modern investigative techniques such as forensic science, geo-fencing, DNA analysis, cyber forensics and biometric verification, training of personnel, accountability, equal access across all provinces and institutional integrity is paramount. Technology can only guarantee justice when the structural and institutional reforms will be made.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, criminal investigation is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system of Pakistan. The principles of criminal investigation encompassing scientific inquiry, objectivity, timeliness, legality, preservation of evidence and proper documentation guarantee that justice is not based on presumption rather on evidences. In Pakistan, the use of advanced investigative techniques such as forensic science, biometric databases and surveillance symbolizes a transformative shift towards evidence-based transparent and professional policing. Nonetheless, sustainable improvement necessitates strong coordination among various institutions, proper training of investigating officers, making forensic facilities accessible across provinces and guaranteeing independence from any kind of political interference. Modern techniques increase the accuracy of crime detection however, this technology ought to be embedded within the culture of accountability, transparency and rule of law so that true justice can be ensured. An effective criminal investigation not only identifies and punishes the criminals but also safeguards the innocent, reinforces public trust as well as fosters democratic governance. The Father of Criminalistics, Hans Gross, puts forth in “Criminal Investigation: A Practical Handbook”,
“The aim of criminal investigation is not merely to convict, but to discover the truth.”
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