Odisha Police To Post Trained Crime Scene Officers In Every Police Station

Under the reform, two Crime Scene Officers will be posted at each police station. The personnel will be drawn from constables and home guards with science backgrounds and will receive specialised training in modern crime scene management. The move aligns with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which places greater emphasis on scientific and forensic evidence in criminal investigations.

The Crime Scene Officers will be the first responders at crime sites, tasked with preserving vital evidence until forensic experts arrive. Their responsibilities include securing scenes, preventing contamination or loss of evidence, and assisting investigating officers through the use of technology such as audio and video documentation.

Police officials said the initiative is expected to significantly enhance the quality of evidence collection, thereby strengthening prosecution and speeding up the criminal justice process. By integrating scientific methods at the earliest stage of investigation, the force aims to reduce procedural gaps that often weaken cases in court.

To prepare personnel for the new role, the Odisha Police has rolled out a six-week specialised training programme covering forensic awareness, scientific tools, crime scene preservation and investigative protocols. A dedicated training camp was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Urban Police and Traffic Training Centre at Laxmisagar in Bhubaneswar.

The first batch comprises 74 trainees drawn from various districts of the state. Senior officials described the initiative as a milestone in the modernisation of policing in Odisha, underscoring the force’s commitment to professionalism, technology and justice delivery.