What is in news : Karnataka government has appointed a separate cadre of ‘scene of crime officers’, a first in the country.

Who are they :

• Specialised in forensic science as well in identification, collection and preservation of evidence at the scene of the crime
• Will identify, record and collect evidence at the crime scene
• Assist investigation officers by providing crucial evidence material

How will they work :

• Ranked equivalent to police sub-inspector
• Part of the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories
• Will undergo training at National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad.

Additional details

• All districts will have one SoC unit with four to five SoC officials
• Also a dedicated ‘Forensic mobile lab’ for SoC officers will be deployed, so they can arrive at the crime scene as soon as possible with all the equipment needed.