Understanding about Crime Scene Investigation of Rayong Police Inquiry Officers

Abstract

Police play a crucial role in the justice system as they are primarily responsible for cases before they advance to the public prosecutor and judicial proceedings. Inquiry officers are responsible for collecting evidence at the crime scene for use in the prosecution and court trial stages. In modern times, forensic evidence has emerged as a pivotal component in legal proceedings. This study aimed to investigate 1) knowledge and perceptions of forensic evidence collection, and 2) problems and obstacles faced by inquiry officers in the Rayong Provincial Police concerning the collection of forensic evidence. The sample consisted of 126 inquiry officers from the Rayong Provincial Police, who were interviewed using questionnaires on general forensic science topics. Descriptive statistics were applied to personal data, and the correlation between personal variables and forensic science knowledge scores was assessed through One-Way ANOVA. The study revealed that the majority of inquiry officers in the Rayong Provincial Police were male, aged between 51 and 60, with 25 years or more of service. They had been serving as inquiry officers for 5-10 years, held a bachelor's degree, and had received training in forensic evidence collection. Most reported a high level of knowledge and understanding of forensic science. The analysis indicated statistically significant differences in mean scores (P-value ≤ 0.05) based on age, years of service, experience as an inquiry official, and participation in forensic science training sessions. The problems and obstacles identified included insufficient personnel and a lack of knowledge in collecting specific forensic evidence. It is recommended that inquiry officers in the Rayong Provincial Police receive regular training in forensic evidence collection.