Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar forms Homicide Squad to improve its crime detection rate

Members of the Homicide Squad undergo training at the Office of the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Kalina. Pic/Hanif Patel

In a bid to improve detection rate in complex murders, suspicious accidental deaths and crimes against women and children, Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police is forming a new unit. The unit, carved out of the Crime Branch, has been named Homicide Squad which will conduct scientific investigation and guide investigators to secure conviction in the case.

The move is in the lines of Homicide Squads in European countries which solve complex murder cases. "It is the brainchild of MBVV commissioner Sadanand Date," DCP (crime) Dr Mahesh Patil told mid-day.

Trained at FSL, Sir JJ Hospital

He added that these officers have undergone training at the Forensic Science Laboratory, Kalina, and also at Sir J J Hospital where post-mortems are conducted.

"The Homicide Squad is being prepared to make the police force technically strong. They have undergone training at FSL, Kalina. They also have been taught how to collect pieces of evidence, what pieces of evidence will be helpful in solving the case and securing conviction," said Dr Patil.

During their training at Sir J J Hospital, the unit has been briefed what to observe on a body, what queries they should raise before forensic doctors and what to read in a post-mortem report, etc. The team has also been briefed by public prosecutors to understand which pieces of evidence and documents are required in securing conviction.

Why it is important

This special unit has been formed as criminals have been using Vasai-Virar to dump bodies after killing their victims elsewhere. "I must say that a valuable resource is being prepared to help in solving complex cases," Dr Patil said.

As per official record, MBVV police's detection rate in murder cases is 91 per cent this year till October.

"We are aiming at solving all the murder cases and securing 100 per cent conviction," said the DCP, adding, "Every 20 days, detection officers will be called by the Homicide Squad who will guide them with investigations."

"The Homicide Squad has been asked to visit all the crime scenes across MBVV police commissionerate. They will be actively working and will also assist investigating teams in sensitive ADRs, suspicious fatal road crash on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, POCSO and rape cases," he added.

He further added the till date Homicide Squad has guided officers in 10 cases including filing a charge sheet in a jeweller's murder and a loot case at Nalasopara.

Another murder case solved

The accused with the cops. Pic/Hanif Patel

Crime branch solved the murder case of a woman whose body was found at Virar West recently, and arrested two accused on Thursday. Arnala police had filed a murder case against an unknown person after the decomposed body was found near an underconstruction jetty in Virar.

During investigation, a crime branch team, headed by inspector Pramod Badakh and consisting PI Shahuraj Ranvare, API Dnyaneshwar Jagtap, PSI Shivaji Khade, came across a missing person's complaint registered at Virar police station and asked the complainant to check the body.

"The complainant identified the body. Subsequently, we nabbed the deceased's friend Harshad Patil, 26, and his friend Kritesh Kini, 28, both Virar residents. They have confessed to the crime," said a crime branch officer.

Further investigation is underway.