For foolproof policing, Navi Mumbai cops get tech-savvy

A crime scene investigation kit. I-bikes will be equipped with this kit for better evidence collection

With an aim to make their cases watertight and enhance conviction rate, the Navi Mumbai police on Tuesday adopted new-age technology in the form i-bikes and Yatharth. According to officers, both the initiatives, first-of-its-kind in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), will revolutionise policing at 20 police stations by helping reduce flaws in investigations with spot-on evidence collection.

The initiatives are the brainchild of Commissioner of Police Milind Bharambe, who said, "The idea behind these initiatives is to make policing foolproof. There's always a possibility of minor flaws in an investigation and those flaws are exploited by criminals to get acquittal. Both the initiatives will enable cops to be one-step ahead of the criminals."

Yatharth, a kit, contains a mobile-like device to record a crime scene or statements

6 i-bikes

"Across the commissionerate, 148 constables have been trained at the forensic science institute in Kalina and in Aurangabad. Currently, both the zones in the commissionerate will have three bikes each," said an officer. The investigation kit includes tools that will help them collect samples of blood, blood-soaked soil or fingerprints. It has gloves, bags, containers, and other items as per the forensic science standards. "Be it housebreaking, murder, or hanging, the most important thing is to secure the crime scene and collect evidence. The trained cops will be first respondents to any crime scene," another officer said.

Yatharth

Another gear the DGP launched at Navi Mumbai police HQ was Yatharth, a device to record videos or take pictures of the crime scene, and store fingerprints of accused, victims and panch. It can also be used to record statements of witnesses.

"Yatharth, a customised mobile-like device, will not only digitise evidence collection, but bring transparency in policing. Each police station will get one device each," said a senior police officer. Yatharth data will be stored at a central server, which will reduce the possibility of loss, the officer added. The software is tamper-proof and the data can be admissible in courts, as they have been certified by central government agencies.

"The device also has activated GPS, which will geo locate the crime scene and people's location while statements are being recorded. This will not give the witness or panch any chance to turn hostile," he said.