THE USE OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE BY INVESTIGATIVE OFFICERS: A CASE STUDY OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES AGAINST LIFE, BODY, AND SEXUAL INTEGRITY

Abstract

This study sought to Assess the significance and application of forensic evidence in the investigation of criminal cases including homicide, bodily injury, and sexual offenses among criminal investigation officers. A mixed-methods research approach was used. It included a quantitative study that used data from 297 criminal investigation officers and a qualitative study that included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 16 police officers in charge. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to look at the data. The findings indicated that educational attainment and duration of employment substantially influenced the significance and use of forensic evidence in criminal cases pertaining to homicide, bodily injury, and sexual offenses, with statistically significant variances. The high score for the relevance of forensic evidence ( = 4.21, S.D. = 0.359) shows that the people who answered agreed that scientific evidence is needed at every step of the criminal investigative process. In the same way, the amount of use of forensic evidence was also scored highly ( = 3.81, S.D. = 0.403). Criminal investigation officers could use forensic evidence in case files, had expertise submitting evidence for testing, and made sure that each step of collecting, submitting, and analyzing evidence was done correctly. This shows that you are quite good at using what you know in real-life investigations. The results also showed that the lowest level of participation in training linked to the use of forensic evidence was due to a lack of training opportunities and not enough growth in academic and professional skills.