Scientific investigation is the most reliable and acceptable means of gathering evidence in all sorts of investigations at this time and day.
For example;
CCTVs exist and investigators are made to undergo training on how to use the information garnered from the control room wherever there is CCTV.
Fingerprint machines are also there and they are used by law enforcement agencies to run fingerprints collected from crime scenes. Such fingerprints are further checked in the national database to step up the investigation.
You must have also heard of forensic scientists and how they comb crime scenes for any detail which can be used to point investigators in the right direction. They collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes.
On the other end, running an autopsy on corpses is becoming a trend and a commendable one because it makes it easier to scientifically identify the cause of death. Some countries make it compulsory for any corpse found in a crime scene to undergo an autopsy before a cremation or any other sort of burial practised in the country.
Of course, all these scientific means of collecting evidence are tested and trusted. It presents irrefutable evidence and makes it a lot easier for the investigators to do their work - without pinning a crime on an innocent person.
That's the best part for me because too often, we end up seeing many innocent people suffer for what they didn't commit. I don't know how things look in another part of the world, but I can tell you about mine.
Nigerian police are bad at collecting evidence!
In Nigeria, the police force is in charge of investigating crime scenes and identifying culprits. Scientific investigation is at its minimal in this country and most of those in police uniform are not ready to go out of their way to collect evidence. They'd rather collect bribes.
So, whenever they feel like they've got a 'suspect', they go ahead to beat the person up, torture the person and threaten him until the person bribes his way out or confesses to a crime they didn't commit.
Even now that they are openly trying to 'fight against cybercrimes', they will gladly form an escort and guard a cybercriminal to a restroom and to all part of the country, as far as the person is ready to grease their palms and remit their account.
That's by the way...
The focus of this article is on scientific investigation and I'm always impressed when I see the steps taken to scientifically investigate crimes in other part of the world. I won't overlook the loopholes though. Scientific investigations can be manipulated and they can also have a probability of human error. That aside, I consider it to be more reliable.
Unfortunately, such a type of investigation still sounds like a novel to many investigators over here. I hope to see it get integrated into our investigation process.
So, what's your preference?
Scientific investigation or 'beat him up...to get his confession?
Emmm...Forget I asked!
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Comma
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