Integration of Remote Sensing into Forensic Investigation

Source abstract

Forensic is the scientific method used to solve a crime governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure. Forensic investigation is the gathering and analysis of all crime related physical evidence in order to come to a conclusion about a suspect, forensic in this research focuses on the presentation of evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction. Before the evidence can be presented to court, it has to pass through a process called chain of custody. This research is carried out in order to provide a platform for the integration of remote sensing into forensic investigation by focusing on evidence found in crime scene and geodetic data relating to the evidence. Integration of remote sensing into forensic investigation is done using ArcGIS for geo-referencing and geo-coding, Microsoft Excel used for transporting data collected into ArcGIS and Garmin eTrex 10 GPS as a remote sensing device used to take coordinates. The system focuses on keeping track of chain of custody of evidence, keeping detail records regarding the evidence and location in which evidence were found, location through which evidence passes through (Chain of custody), geo-referencing of a map to show the whole area under consideration and geo-coding of the map with the geodetic data collected through the remote sensing device. This study reveals that integration of thematic map of region under consideration gives adequate description and location of the evidence and chain of custody and further present firsthand information to local authorities, forensic investigators and jury about the chain of custody.