Odisha Police to Appoint First Dedicated Crime-Scene Officers, Marking Major Forensic Reform
In a significant move aimed at strengthening scientific investigation and improving conviction rates, the Odisha Police has announced that it will appoint dedicated Crime-Scene Officers (CSOs) across the state. This will be the first time Odisha introduces a specialised cadre focused exclusively on crime-scene management and evidence collection.
Senior police officials said the initiative is designed to ensure that crime scenes are handled in a professional, scientific and standardised manner from the very first response—an area that has traditionally been handled by investigating officers with limited specialised forensic training.
A New Role in Policing
Under the proposed system, Crime-Scene Officers will be responsible for:
- Securing and preserving crime scenes
- Scientifically collecting physical, biological and trace evidence
- Photographing and documenting scenes using standard forensic protocols
- Maintaining strict chain-of-custody records
- Coordinating with forensic science laboratories for timely analysis
The officers are expected to be posted at police stations across the state, with earlier planning indicating a goal of one trained CSO per police station, covering Odisha’s nearly 700 police stations.
Focus on Scientific Evidence
Police officials said the CSOs will typically be drawn from candidates with science backgrounds, followed by intensive training in crime-scene investigation, forensic photography, biological evidence handling, and digital documentation.
The state has also begun strengthening logistical support for the initiative. Recent procurement plans include crime-scene investigation (CSI) patrol smartphones and digital tools, which will allow officers to securely log evidence, upload scene documentation, and maintain real-time records linked to forensic laboratories.
Why This Matters
Experts say improper handling of crime scenes is one of the most common reasons forensic evidence fails in court. Bloodstains, fingerprints, fibres and digital evidence are often contaminated or lost during the initial response, weakening prosecutions.
By introducing trained crime-scene specialists, Odisha aims to:
- Reduce evidence contamination at the earliest stage of investigation
- Improve the quality and admissibility of forensic evidence in courts
- Strengthen prosecutions, particularly in serious crimes such as murder, sexual offences and organised crime
- Speed up investigations by ensuring that evidence reaches forensic labs in a usable and well-documented condition
Courts across India are increasingly relying on forensic science—DNA, fingerprints, digital and audio analysis—making accurate crime-scene work critical to the justice process.
Part of a Broader Forensic Push
The CSO initiative fits into a wider national and state-level shift toward forensic-led policing. Odisha has, in recent years, expanded its forensic infrastructure, digitised police processes and increased reliance on scientific methods in investigations.
Officials said the introduction of Crime-Scene Officers will bridge the gap between police investigations and forensic laboratories, ensuring that scientific evidence is collected correctly rather than reconstructed later.
Challenges Ahead
While the move has been widely welcomed, experts caution that its success will depend on:
- Quality and consistency of training across districts
- Adequate forensic laboratory capacity to handle increased evidence submissions
- Regular refresher courses and audits to maintain standards
- Sustained funding for equipment maintenance and technological upgrades
Police leadership, however, expressed confidence that the programme will significantly raise investigation standards once fully implemented.
What Comes Next
The Odisha Police is expected to issue detailed notifications outlining recruitment criteria, training partners, posting structures and timelines in the coming weeks. Full operational rollout is likely to take place in phases.
If implemented as planned, the initiative could place Odisha among the leading states in institutionalising professional crime-scene management, setting a model for forensic-driven policing in India.
