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A 13-year-old tribal girl, Lalithya, was discovered mysteriously dead in an Ashram school in Adilabad. In spite of the assertion of epileptic fits by the school, her parents are accusing negligence and asking for a forensic inquiry. They demanded a forensic investigation to find out whether any foul play had taken place. The accident has created an uproar among the local tribal population, who are calling for an open investigation and monetary compensation for the loss. A forensic autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

Lalithya, was discovered dead under suspicious conditions at an Ashram school in Ichoda mandal, Adilabad. While the school authorities state that she died of epileptic seizures, her parents suspect negligence and are calling for a forensic probe.

Lalithya, a IX standard student hailing from Morkandi village in Bazarhathnoor mandal, was found dead in her hostel room on Monday. According to school staff members, she died due to a fatal epileptic attack. But the family members are seriously questioning the conditions under which she passed away.

When they arrived at the school, her parents accosted the administration, challenging the absence of medical care. They blamed the headmaster for negligence and demanded he take action against the perpetrators. Refusing to acknowledge that the reason for death is as yet unknown, they have requested a forensic test to ascertain whether any foul play was committed.

The incident has set off anger among the indigenous tribal community, with activists calling for an open inquiry. People are asking whether the school ensured proper medical attention and followed student safety guidelines in a timely manner.

The authorities have promised to conduct a forensic autopsy to determine the precise reason behind the death. In the meantime, the parents have claimed financial compensation for their loss and blamed the school.

Additional information is expected once forensic specialists examine the case.

They are some of the most heartbreaking situations in Australia — the missing persons, the enigmatic skeletons, the human remains languishing in shipping containers and storage facilities in the farthest reaches of the nation.

Who are they and where did they come from?

It's a query that bothers DNA expert Jodie Ward, who has opened Australia's first stand-alone forensics laboratory in an effort to discover.

"There are Australian families who are obsessed with the fact that there are hundreds of unidentified human remains here in Australia … is their missing loved one on that list?" Dr Ward says.

"With the technologies available for forensic science, I don't believe we can leave any case as cold anymore, and we need to be throwing everything at them to attempt to get some answers.

"Our aim is to provide specialist forensic testing methodologies for identification, some of which are not yet available here in Australia, and make the playing field equal regarding who can access it," she says.

The laboratory, set up as a social enterprise model, will provide the police with an alternative for forensic testing outsourcing, to accelerate investigations.

It will also offer private investigators and families a channel through which to access evidence, beyond police investigations.

Martin Hodgson, a human rights campaigner, states the establishment of an independent forensics service was overdue.

"It's not solely criminal investigations — many people don't appreciate the number of First Nations people who were relocated to missions or killed, and their remains are in boxes in police stations or universities or buried in the wrong location," Mr Hodgson states.

"To have an independent agency that can assist us with verifying the identity of individuals could really be a game changer."

Hundreds of skeletons under investigation

The amount of sets of unidentified human remains in Australia is hard to estimate, as they are associated with a broad variety of situations.

Some are the remains of individuals who were killed in wars and natural catastrophes, and others are Indigenous Australians whose skeletons were stolen and sold by collectors.

Few are allocated to police to investigate, typically because they have been recently discovered or there are suspicious conditions.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has confirmed there are about 700 sets of remains currently under investigation by police forces across the country.

In 2020, the first concerted effort was made to harness new forensic technology to systematically test and catalogue the backlog of bones.

Jodie Ward collaborated with the AFP to develop the National DNA Program for Missing and Unidentified Persons, and it was able to test 99 of the unidentified remains forensically.

That matched 19 with long-term missing persons, closing cases for families who had endured years of not knowing.

But the program funding ran out in 2024 and Dr Ward is now collaborating with the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at Adelaide University to develop an independent forensics unit.

It puts Australia on par with nations such as the USA, where investigators of every description can order forensic work to help advance legal cases, clarify historical burial grounds, and restrict the identity of mystery remains

Within the complex crime scene investigation world, forensic medicine experts are the unsung heroes. These specialists, including anthropologists, ballistic technicians, entomologists, odontologists, and osteologists, rarely set foot at the crime scenes themselves. They labor diligently in their laboratories, analyzing evidence forwarded to them.

After these experts have finished analyzing, they make up their conclusions into a forensic expert analytical report. Although the presentation of such reports differs with the specialty of the forensic expert, there are essential parts that are included by everyone. Such parts include the chain of evidence, evidence evaluation methods, evidence evaluation results, and discussion (with a conclusion) of what is indicated by the evidence.

Emerging Field: Forensic Dermatology

Forensic dermatology, a new and promising field in forensic medicine, is developing with dermatologists drawing on their own skill of skin, mucosa, hair, and nail evaluation to now offer it for application in crime investigations. The number of such practitioners is expected to increase with more people being made aware of its potential benefits.

A typical model hypothetical forensic dermatology expert analysis report looks no different from that of any other forensic expert's report with four main parts:

1. Chain of Evidence: A chronological record which distinguishes the protected care and control of the evidence and its transmission to another person.
2. Methods: This in-depth section outlines the examination of the evidence and forms the majority of the analytical report.
3. Results: In this section, information gathered after assessing the evidence is reported in clear terms such that not only other investigators but also other members of the legal community, like judges, lawyers, and jury members, will understand it.
4. Discussion: This section contains the opinion of the dermatologist, encapsulating the findings of the investigation and placing the analysis of evidence in perspective. It may also contain a conclusion part, which must be written in clear terms.

Depending on the particular details of the case, the outline of the forensic dermatology expert analytical report may be adjusted by the preparing dermatologist.

In summary, a great forensic dermatology expert report is worth gold. It serves other investigators and members of the legal system, including attorneys, judges, and juries, who are also part of the case. In addition, once the forensic dermatology expert testifies in court as an expert witness, the report becomes an asset to the dermatologist.

As forensic dermatology evolves further, it will be an integral part of the continuously changing realm of forensic medicine, adding more precision and sophistication to crime investigations.

The Guwahati branch of the Indian Science Congress Association celebrated National Science Day with a session on forensic science. The program was organized to raise awareness regarding the application of forensic science in crime investigation and justice delivery.

Experts from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) took part in the session, which was on the use of forensic science to crack crimes. The new methods and technologies employed in forensic science were also covered.

The event was also attended by students from schools and colleges, who also engaged in other activities like science exhibitions, quizzes, and lectures.

National Science Day is commemorated every year on February 28 to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist C.V. Raman. The day is observed to foster scientific awareness and encourage young minds to join the field of science and technology.

To motivate the young generation to learn science, the National Science Centre, Guwahati, hosted a series of programmes on National Science Day on Friday at the Science Museum and Centre in Khanapara. The conference had a session on an important topic — "The Role of Forensic Science in the Delivery of the Criminal Justice System". Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Guwahati, assistant director (documents) Naulak Lian Paite was hopeful about the conference and stated that it is very helpful for students. The session described the branches of forensic science and its different aspects.

The entire day-long program consisted of a scientific demonstration of 3D projections, scattering of lights and marvels of colours, art competition and quiz competition on eminent Indian scientists. An animated 3D movie, 'Turtle Vision', was released and presented to the students without any charge. With dynamic and state-of-the-art projection technology, the 11-minute 30-second movie offered a spine-tingling experience, making the audience believe that they are swimming amidst coral reefs and plunging into the freezing polar ocean.

High-profile cases garner the public's interest and usually dominate the headlines, attracting attention from a multitude of stakeholders such as media channels, law enforcers, legal experts, and the public at large. But what do high-profile cases actually refer to, and how are they distinct from more conventional legal cases? This article discusses the features that make high-profile cases what they are, the reasons behind their prominence, and their effects on the legal process and society.

Features of High-Profile Cases

Media Presence: Extensive media presence is perhaps one of the most characteristic features of high-profile cases. They may feature high-profile personalities like celebrities, politicians, or notorious criminals, so they have greater news value. Media pressure from day to day might frame public opinion and determine the court proceedings.

Public Interest: High-profile cases typically generate strong public interest because of their sensational character, social implications, or controversy. Cases of notorious crimes, celebrity scandals, or corporate scandals attract the masses, and thus there is increased emotional reaction and discourse in public forums.

Legal Nuance: High-profile cases tend to have complex legal matters that could set precedents or pose significant ethical questions. The tactics used by prominent lawyers tend to generate publicity, and the results can carry far-reaching implications beyond the case at hand.

Effect on the Legal System: High-profile cases have the potential to alter laws, policy changes, and debates regarding the justice system. For instance, a high-profile wrongful conviction case can lead to an examination of legal procedures and call for modifications in the handling of evidence or the conduct of trials.

Social Significance: Cases like these frequently mirror the ills of society, such as race, class, and gender relations. What the public believes about the course of the case can stimulate widespread debate concerning justice, discrimination, and system abuses in the courts.

Conditions Giving Rise to Their Visibility

They arise due to a combination of factors such as:

High-Profile Defendants or Victims: Where the parties are famous, the case is most likely to draw media attention and public interest. Examples are the O.J. Simpson trial, the Sharon Tate murder, or the prosecution of prominent corporate CEOs.

Unusual Circumstances: Cases that have unusual facts or circumstances are likely to be memorable. Incidents like mass shootings or high-profile frauds can be attention-grabbing because they are sensational and usually tragic.

Legal and Social Movements: High-profile cases may also coincide with or propel legal and social movements. The police violence trials, like the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor cases, have led to mass protests and debates regarding the practices of law enforcement and racial justice.

Implications for the Legal System and Society

High-profile cases are challenges and opportunities for the legal system and society:

Trial by Media: The glare of the media spotlight can create a "trial by media," in which public opinion is created prior to the trial itself. This can have an impact on a defendant's right to a fair trial, as prospective jurors may be influenced by media presentation.

Pressure on Legal Teams: Lawyers working on high-profile cases tend to be under enormous pressure to deliver, both in the courtroom and in the public domain. The stakes are high, and the need for a successful outcome can create ethical issues and aggressive tactics.

Long-Term Reforms: Such cases may prompt debates in relation to systematic reforms, such as policing patterns, criminal justice bills, or how evidence is processed. The cases serve to initiate advocacy and, ultimately, drive substantial alterations to society.

High-profile cases act as a mirror that reflects the complexity of the legal system and societal values. While these cases identify the complexity of legal procedures and the influence of public perception, they also pose fundamental issues regarding justice, accountability, and ethical behavior in both the legal system and society as a whole. Knowing what makes such cases distinctive enables us to participate more critically in the issues of these cases and their general implications in our legal system.

To bring crime investigation into the modern age and bolster forensic strength, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up six new forensic science laboratories (FSLs) in Ayodhya, Basti, Banda, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Saharanpur. Law enforcement organizations would greatly benefit from this since it would enable quicker and more efficient crime detection and evidence analysis.

There were just four forensic science labs in Uttar Pradesh to support criminal investigations before to 2017. The state government doubled the amount of forensic infrastructure in recent years by establishing eight new forensic labs in response to the increased need for improved forensic services.By establishing these six future labs, the government intends to further centralize forensic services and provide law enforcement with state-of-the-art scientific methods to investigate crimes.

Because they analyze evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, ballistics, toxicology tests, and cyber forensics, forensic labs are crucial to criminal investigations. The expansion of forensic facilities throughout the state will reduce dependency on a small number of labs, resulting in shorter case processing times and more accurate and prompt justice delivery.

The state government's determination to improve peace and order through technology-based police is consistent with the establishment of new forensic labs. These labs will be fitted with modern forensic facilities and trained experts who will be able to deal with complex cases of cybercrimes, financial frauds, narcotics, and violent crimes.

The action is also anticipated to drastically cut case backlogs and accelerate forensic examination, which is usually a major determinant of the timely conclusion of criminal investigations.