Importance of Ultra-pure Water for Sample Collection in Vitriolage Cases - Forensic Concern for Corrosives Examination

Pallavi Choudhary Pallavi Choudhary,Rohan Verma Rohan Verma,Rachna Chandela Rachna Chandela,Kanak Lata Verma Kanak Lata Verma

doi:10.17063/bjfs9(4)y2020582-600

Pallavi Choudhary Pallavi Choudhary, Rohan Verma Rohan Verma + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.17063/bjfs9(4)y2020582-600

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Abstract

itriolage, a heinous crime committed with intention to disfigure a person has come into view as an extremely brutal gender-based crime especially against young women in India and also another part of world mainly in South Asia over the past few years. India is facing an alarming situation of crime against women such as rape, domestic violence, dowry deaths etc. In recent year’s cases of vitriolage are on the rise in India. By understanding the gravity of crime, section 326A and 326B was incorporated in the prevailing Indian Penal Code and came into effect from 3 February 2013. Forensic Science Laboratory, Delhi receives a number of cases pertaining to acid attacks every year. We present here five such cases which were received for forensic examination. The exhibits were analyzed using Ion Chromatography apart from classical tests in order to strengthen the forensic reports and play vital role in conviction of the accused. This paper encompasses the necessity and importance of controlled samples treated with the quality of water used in analysis, importance of packing of exhibits and role of investigating agencies/police in collection of exhibits, which play crucial role in proving the sanctity of the forensic examination.

Highlights

We present here five such cases (Table no.1) which were received for forensic examination
The authors detected the presence of HCl and H2SO4 by versatile and reliable technique of Ion Chromatography and various chemical tests without any complex sample clean-up steps
To maintain the credibility of Forensic examination there is a need of training/awareness on the part of investigating agencies to understand the importance of collection, packaging and immediate depositing of exhibits at FSL for examination of such cases of crime against women on top priority basis In case of vitriolage it is very important/mandatory that Police should collect control samples from the crime scene within the circumference of ten meters to avoid false positive as well as false negative reports

Summary

Introduction

Some mentally deranged men seem to adopt the dreadful act of vitriolage as a most rewarding method of slaughtering eves to boost their male ego[1]. This frightful crime is restricted between the boundaries of India but has been committed against women across the world predominantly in South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh[4]. Reports of vitriolage have been documented in UK, USA, Jamaica, Iran, Taiwan, Nepal, Colombia, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Cambodia and Uganda[5,6,7] This brutal crime has shocked European countries and revealed a deepseated culture of violence against women[8]. Time to time Indian girls come across talibanic decisions of sick mentality of certain section of societies like in Jharkhand there was a poster put on public display to warn the girls to not to wear jeans and other modern clothes otherwise ready to face serious consequences like acid attacks[10]

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