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18 CHARRED DOCUMENTS

A document that has become blackened and brittle by burning or exposure to excessive heat
is classified as charred document. Accidentally burnt documents or those intentionally destroyed
are referred to the forensic laboratories for restoration and decipherment of writings on them.
Burnt documents being highly fragile do not usually remain in their original shape and get
broken into small fragments. Curling is also observed around edges. It is, therefore, necessary
that utmost care should be taken in handling, preserving and transporting the charred documents
to the forensic laboratories.

Charred document can be expected in cases of accidental fire, intentional fire and arson,
insurance and financial matters and leaking of examination papers, etc.

Figure 18.1: A case of arson–Burning of important bank documents

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18.1 Crime Scene Investigation in Case of Charred Documents

18.1.1 Crime Scene:
A place where the alleged crime/fire and arson has taken place or an effort made by an
accused to destroy the evidence through burning.

18.1.2 Crime Scene Investigation:

It is thorough inquiry of the crime by conducting systematic study of various investigative
methods. It involves recovery of physical and documentary evidence for the purpose of
identifying and arrest of perpetrators for their prosecution. Crime scene investigation shall
technically commence upon the arrival of first responder and conclude with the lifting of
security cordon and release of crime scene by IO.

18.1.3 Basic Guidelines for Carrying out Search at Scene of Crime

(i) Defining control boundaries of a SOC for protecting and securing it.
(ii) Preserving a SOC with minimum possible contamination and disturbance of any
physical clue material.
(iii) Safety and security of all persons in and around a SOC.
(iv) Taking custody of records, maintaining details of documents available or stored at the
scene of crime.
(v) Restriction on the number of persons accessing a SOC and recording their movement.
(vi) Controlling, identifying, verifying and removing persons from a SOC after proper and
self-attested recording of their details, names, addresses, contact numbers, etc.
(vii) First remove unburnt evidential documents from scene of crime and take them in
your custody.
(viii) Always photograph the document on arrival at the scene of crime, on ‘as it is and
where it is’ basis to prove in the court that these documents were actually recovered
from the scene of crime.

18.1.4 Pre-Search/Planning and Preparation to Examine Scene of Offence

Assessment of the place where search is to be conducted for collection of physical evidence.
It may be in the form of closed or open places.

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Response to a Crime Scene

Procedure for the first police officer visiting the crime scene
(i) Call for the fire brigade.
(ii) Assistance to the injured person, if any, should be extended first.
(iii) Identification of witness and suspect.
(iv) Securing the crime scene.
(v) Documenting the condition of crime scene.
(vi) Identify and protect the documentary and material evidence.
(vii) Photography/videography of SOC.

The investigation officer visiting the crime scene subsequently should:

(i) On arrival contact the police officer who had attended the crime scene initially.
(ii) Collect evidence at crime scene.
(iii) Record statements of eye witness and suspects.

18.2 Crime Scene Kit for Collection of Evidence

(i) Forceps/flat bladed tweezers
(ii) Spatula
(iii) Cardboard boxes
(iv) Cotton
(v) Corrugated boxes
(vi) Polyvinyl acetate solution(2-3 per cent in acetone)
(vii) Sprayer
(viii) Safety gloves
(ix) Thin glass sheets
(x) High intensity light source
(xi) High resolution camera (minimum 16 megapixels)
(xii) Humidifier, if available
(xiii) Dehydrator, if available
(xiv) Marking pens of different colours
(xv) Plastic tape
(xvi) Staplers

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18.3 General guidelines for Carrying out Search at Scene of Crime

(i) Collection of all possible, relevant and authentic information required for making
assessment about the planning and preparation for search.
(ii) Assessment of all available information for planning and preparing the correct time of
search.

18.3.1 Constituting Team Required for Handling the Crime Scene

(i) Outer cordon
(ii) Inner cordon
(iii) Search and seizure of physical clues
(iv) Rescue of victim, if any
(v) Handling of eye witnesses
(vi) Handling of suspects/accused

18.3.2 Composition of Team Members and their Role

(i) Search should be led by a senior police officer.
(ii) Role of an informant/source/identifier must be clearly identified for an operation.
(iii) The roles and responsibilities of police and non-police personnel must be clearly
defined.

18.3.3 Briefing Team Members

Members of a search team including non-police personnel should be informed on following
key points:
(i) The purpose of search
(ii) The outlines of the plan of action
(iii) The role and responsibilities of teams and its members

18.3.4 Protection and Security of SOC

The scene of crime should be protected with utmost care and precautions such as cordoning
of the area, restricting entry/exit and access to unauthorized persons, disallowing tampering of
evidence, photography and videography of the crime scene.
All telephones and mobiles must be seized.

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18.3.5 Documentation of the Crime Scene

Location of charred documents found at the scene should be documented by way of sketching
and photography.

18.3.6 Photography of the Crime Scene

After the crime scene is secured, photography of charred document is required for their
location and neighbourhood. Close up photography of charred document using high intensity
light source and high resolution camera is also required.

18.3.7 Medical Assistance

In case of accidental fire, immediate assistance/first aid should be extended to the burnt or
injured person and then shifted to the nearest hospital for further treatment.

18.3.8 Search for Evidence

The search team should be divided into sub-teams which should systematically start searching
the place from one end to another in each room/open space depending upon the nature of a case.

Three types of evidence may be found at a SOC, namely

(i) Documentary evidence
(ii) Forensic evidence
(iii) Material evidence

18.3.9 Documentary Evidence

(i) Registers carrying details such as money
transaction, visitors, personal details of victims,
tasks assigned to people connected with the
case
(ii) Letters/memos
(iii) Marriage certificates
(iv) Contact diaries/business cards
(v) Business related registers/papers
Figure 18.2: Charred document at
(vi) Account related registers crime scene
(vii) Property documents Courtesy: A.K.Bapuly

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(viii) Employment papers

(ix) Identification documents (passport, ration card, voter’s card, aadhaar card etc.)
(x) Educational documents
(xi) Bank documents
(xii) Copies of leaked examination paper

18.3.10 Material Evidence

(i) Material used for fire (fuels like kerosene/petrol/diesel, etc.)
(ii) Matchbox/lighter/electric wires, heaters, etc.
(iii) Computers, desktop, laptop, palm top floppies/CDs/pen drives
(iv) Mobile phones
(v) Video or still cameras
(vi) CCTV footage

18.4 Procedure for Handling and Transportation of Charred

Documents at the Scene of Crime
(i) Protect the crime scene.
(ii) Switch off the fans and close the windows of the room in case of indoor crime scene.
This will restrict flow of air and thereby burning of materials.
(iii) Do not disturb the container in which the document is burnt until and unless the
container is transported to the laboratory.
(iv) Stabilize the charred mass as far as possible using polyvinyl acetate in acetone
solution (2-3 per cent) by spraying it gently over the charred masses as the charred
documents are highly fragile.
(v) When there is a heap of charred mass, try to procure partially burnt documents from
the inner middle part of the heap as unburnt documents may be available due to lack
of oxygen/incomplete burning.
(vi) Do not try to remove the pages of stacks of paper. Lift them as it is. Scattered pages
should be lifted using spatula and transfer to the glass sheet. Keep cotton over it and
then transfer it to the cardboard box one by one.
(vii) Get archival plastic sheets for preserving.

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(viii) Transport the cardboard box or corrugated box containing charred exhibits in the
middle of vehicle as there is least chance of damage in this position.
(ix) Great amount of patience is required to handle burnt or charred documents.

18.4.1 Collection and Packaging of Charred Documents

(i) At the scene of crime, charred documents can be found in the dust bins, garbage bins
in the backyard, inside the washroom or toilets, at the corner of the room, etc. In
cases of arson, charred documents can be found in drawers, cupboards, racks, on the
table or any other platform, on the floor or in the cupboard.
(ii) Close up photography of the charred document with high resolution camera should be
done on the spot.
(iii) The destructive effects of heat are often closely associated to excessive dryness as a
result, paper becomes very brittle and fragile. Not all papers can be regenerated after
suffering (mutilating) from excessive heat.
(iv) In case of wet and charred documents, transport it to a chilled storage to prevent
mould formation.
(v) To remove moisture, documents be put in dehydrator with controlled air circulation.
(vi) Documents are dried, restored and refiled.

Table 18.1: Effect of temperature on writing

18.4.2 Handling and Preservation of Charred Documents

In case the charred mass is difficult to handle, then it should be transferred to a glass sheet
pre-treated with silicon water repellent. A solution of 3 per cent polyvinyl acetate in acetone
(3 gm. polyvinyl acetate dissolved in 100 ml. of acetone) or methyl methacrylate (commercially
known as Bed acryl 40 per cent) should be sprayed on charred mass carefully. This solution
is a powerful adhesive and forms a transparent sticky layer on the document which gives
strength to the charred mass.

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Figure 18.3: Charred document stabilized by Polyvinyl Acetate solution

(i) Charred document can be fixed either between two transparent sheets or between two
transparent glass sheets to carryout examination.
(ii) Practically all the charred documents consist of twisted fragile masses. These are
required to be separated and flattened out for further treatment. No forceful attempt
should be made to unfold the burnt papers or to flatten curled sheets.
(iii) Charred document should be kept in humidified chamber for a while in order to
replenish its moisture. This humidity treatment results in straightening of the curled
edges.
(iv) After this treatment the fragments of charred document would gain some weight to
form body and lose brittleness. These pieces may now be directly placed on the glass
plate for examination.

18.4.3 Transportation of Charred Documents

1. The charred pieces should be transported properly preferably
in a corrugated box whose bottom is covered with layer of cotton
and then with tissue paper to avoid any further damage.
2. To handle single burnt document, flat bladed tweezers are useful
for picking up the fragments. When only parts of whole documents
are found they may be segregated according to the area of
container in which they are found and then placed in flat boxes.
Stationary or candy boxes with top covers are very useful.
3. The charred pieces should be covered with a layer of tissue
papers. Pack cotton wool in between charred document and the
sides and bottom of the container forming a protective layer
against damage. The box is then filled with loose cotton and
followed by packing, sealing and transporting the box to the
laboratory for examination.
4. Transporting the container undisturbed to the laboratory is a
better option, wherever possible. Material of the original paper Figure 18.4: Charred documents
has much to do with the fragility of the charred fragments.

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18.5 Seizure List

The seizure list and memo must be prepared on the spot itself in the presence of two
independent witnesses. The witnesses should sign the lists and memos giving their full details
including temporary and permanent addresses/contact numbers, etc., in their own handwriting
including signatures with date.

18.6 End of Search

Before announcing formal termination of a search operation the officer-in-charge must ensure
that:
(i) Every potential witness is safely escorted to a police station with an officer deputed
for the task.
(ii) All evidence collected at a SOC is properly packed, sealed and marked.
(iii) All memos are duly filled in and all other formalities with respect to procedures
mandated by the law are completed.

18.7 Scrutiny of Evidence Collected from SOC

A thorough evaluation of the evidence collected from a SOC provides highly relevant and
useful information for the purpose of investigation including crucial information about: -

18.7.1 Accused
(i) Identity of the accused (photo, documentary record, testimony).
(ii) Information and/or details about other members (photo, documentary record, testimony).

18.7.2 Crime
(i) Items and/or description of items used for commission of crime (documents,
instruments, etc).
(ii) Nature of exploitation (record, testimony).
(iii) Modus operandi.
(iv) Commercial transaction (record, testimony).

18.8 Re-visit the Crime Scene if Required

It is possible that some pieces of charred paper or any other burnt material is lying stray in
and around the crime scene. This must be properly searched and collected for further evidence.

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18.9 Flaws by IO
(i) Charred documents should be handled separately. In case of wet and charred documents,
moisture contents should be reduced as advised.

(ii) Transporting charred documents to a FSL after stabilizing them is a challenge for IOs
which is not taken seriously.

18.10 Plan of Investigation

A thorough scrutiny of the evidence collected from SOC provides highly relevant and useful
information for the purpose of investigation including crucial information.
A plan of investigation greatly facilitates:

(i) The process of reconstruction of the scene of crime.

(ii) Developing understanding about the sequence of events.

(iii) Collection of relevant evidence in a systematic manner.

18.11 Submission of Charge Sheet/Complaint

Depending on the offences made out in a case, either a charge sheet or a complaint should be
filed at the end of the investigation. A legal review of the charge sheet or complaint should
be obtained from the concerned Public Prosecutor before submission.

18.12 Few Cases of Charred Document

Figure 18.5: Various stages of charred documents. Some writings are visible
and legible (right) on charred document whereas the invisible writings on
completely charred documents (left) can be deciphered using IR photography
on the spot.

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18.13 Likely Queries to be Raised (may vary from case to case)

(i) Detect and decipher the matter of the charred documents.
(ii) Is there any signature on the charred document? If yes, can it be identified?
(iii) Whether the document contains handwriting/printed or typed matter.
(iv) Whether the charred mass is a currency paper or ordinary paper.
(v) What is the size and colour of the burnt documents.
(vi) Whether the paper of the charred document is same as that of partially burned
document.
(vii) Any other observation related to the case.

Note: Specific queries would depend upon the nature of the crime and exhibits seized at crime
scene.

18.14 Relevant Sections

A instigates B to set fire to a dwelling. B, in consequence of the unsoundness of his mind,
being incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is wrong or
contrary to law, sets fire to the house in consequence of A’s instigation. B has committed no
offence, but A is guilty of abetting the offence of setting fire to a dwelling, and is liable to
punishment, provided for that offence under section 108 (c).

Section 425 of the Indian Penal Code—-Mischief

425(a) X voluntarily burns a valuable security belonging to Y intending to cause wrongful
loss to Y. X has committed mischief.

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18.15 Case Studies

Source: A.K.Bapuly, Director, FSL, Odhisa

Source: A.K.Bapuly, Director, FSL, Odhisa

Figure 18.6: Crucial documents intentionally set on fire. Partially burnt

documents can be seen

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References

1. Albert S. Osborn, Questioned Documents, 2nd edn., Delhi,1998.

2. Ellen Ellen, Questioned Documents-Scientific Examination, Washington, 1991.
3. Jan Seaman Kelly & Brian S. Lindblom, Scientific Examination of Questioned
Document, London, 2006.
4. Ordway Hilton, Scientific Examination of Questioned Document, New York, 1982.
5. R.E. Jacobson , S.F. Ray, G.G. Attridge, N.R. Oxford, The Manual of Photography-
Photography and Digital Imaging, 9th edn, UK, 2000.
6. Wilson R. Harrison, Suspect Documents: Their Scientific Examination, Delhi Indian
Reprint, 2001.
7. Roy A. Huber & A.M. Headrick , Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals,
Washington D.C., 2000.
8. Ron N. Morris, Forensic Handwriting Identification: Fundamental Concepts and
Principles, New York, 2001.
9. Katherine M. Koppenhaver, CDE, Forensic Document Examination: Principles and
Practise, New Jersey, 2007.
10. R.B. Sharma, Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials, 4th edn, New
Delhi, 1999.
11. A.K. Bapuly, Forensic Science: Its Application in Crime Investigation, 1st edn,
Hyderabad, 2006.

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