What if a tiny bloodstain, a fingerprint or a broken chain of evidence could decide the fate of an entire criminal case?
In this episode of Indian Masterminds, we bring you the fascinating journey of Dr Keshav Kumar, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, who spent nearly 35 years in the police service and became known for using forensic science to investigate complex criminal cases.
Dr Kumar explains how his interest in forensics began at the National Police Academy and eventually became one of the most important skills of his career. His work contributed to convictions in 62 criminal cases.
From investigating old and undetected cases to developing technical and forensic support systems, he has worked to make scientific investigation a regular part of policing.
In this conversation, Dr Kumar also reveals:
Why forensic evidence must be collected and packaged correctly
Why putting fresh blood in a plastic bag can destroy DNA evidence
What exactly is the chain of custody
How procedural mistakes can weaken even strong forensic evidence
Why India needs more home-grown forensic experts
How he helped expand forensic training in Assam
Why newly recruited police officers should receive forensic training
How he completed his PhD in Forensic Psychology after retirement
What can be done to improve India's conviction rate
Watch till the end for an eye-opening conversation on how science can transform policing and criminal investigation.
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