Abstract:
The objective of this research is to study officers practices in crime scene
preservation in murderous cases. The study was conducted by interviewing 26 officers
working at the crime scenes in Bangkok, comprising 15 interrogation officers, 5
crime scene inspection officers, and 6 forensic doctors about their duties and operation,
changes at the crime scene they encountered, their crime scene prevention practices, crime
scene preservation methods, problems, obstacles and suggestions to preserve the
conditions of crime scenes.
The results of this research showed that most crime locations are blocked
before officers arrive. The officers follow all requirements stipulated in the Procedure
Code and the Police Regulations on Cases but with incomplete practices. Important
reasons that damage the crime scenes are commanders, onlookers, the press,
interrogation officers, assistance foundation officers, insufficient budget, inadequate
equipment and workforce for operation. There is still no law and regulation to clearly
enforce crime scene preservation. From the comparison between the regulations in the
Procedure Code and the Police Regulations on Cases and the interviews on officers
working at the crime scenes, the findings show that most crime scene operations are
different from the standard stipulated in the Encyclopedia of Forensic Science. It is
also found that in Thailand, people entering and exiting the crime scenes are not
recorded. There is neither the establishment of command post nor the enactment of
laws about crime scene control and the penalty on those who violate the crime scene
without permission.
The results suggest the following policy changes : management structure of
related agencies should be re-arranged for more clear operation and coordination at the
crime scenes. The enactment of laws concerning crime scene preservation should be
pushed in Thailand and the existing concerned laws should be reviewed. The crime scene
operation agencies must be provided with sufficient budget. Practically, international
standards for crime scene preservation should be applied as the guidelines for Thai
officers working at crime scenes. Training should be arranged to provide knowledge to
operation officers and general people