There is need for Criminal Investigators to Upgrade the game in light of Covid-19.
Crime incidents have increased during lock down and curfew hours in various countries.
What is emerging to be a challenge for crime fighters, like LY Detectives Agency, is the increasing use of gloves and face masks.
As a detective, I see a problem that needs to be addressed before we lose the war against crime.
Before COVID-19, some criminal perpetrators did not understand the use of face masks and gloves in their operations. I bet some still don’t… This made identification and referencing a bit easy with the correct database.
I will not delve into the hows on gloves and masks on this article. Instead, I will offer some suggestions on how crime can still be fought and positive identifications made in the absence of CCTV and FINGERPRINTS
Did you know that there are other options available to make positive identification?
Take EAR MARKS for example.
Ear marks are unique to each individual. The subject on this is still open for debate but while the debate continues, crime fighters should start making databases for this.
When one wears their masks correctly to cover their nose and chin, there is a high likelihood that the ears remain uncovered (sometimes with a little distortion if not adorned properly).
The mask covers almost your entire face and soon there will be masks that cover entire heads. Regulation on masks and style is still a long way to come for most governments.
Certified Fraud and Document Examiners in Kenya
When dusting surfaces for prints, it is important for the scene examiner to lift including other marks that may include EAR MARKS. This can be put in a database as investigations continue and a further analysis done on the same.
Other ways of identifying the perpetrators in such instances would include the movements captured by CCTV, body posture, Clothing, Eyes and even signs used during the perpetration among others
The little efforts we make as crime fighters will go a long way as the MO changes.
It is our duty to adapt as the world changes right in front of us.
