Case Study: Human Homicide Solved Through Forensic Pathology, DNA and Digital Evidence

Shivi Forensics

Case Study: Human Homicide Solved Through Forensic Pathology, DNA and Digital Evidence

Written By : Shreya Shree
Volunteer, Shivi Forensics


Background :
In 2023, a 28-year-old woman was reported missing by her family. Three days later, her decomposed body was recovered from a shallow grave near a riverside plantation. Initial investigation suggested accidental drowning, but forensic examination confirmed murder.

Crime Scene Examination :
● Body buried under loose soil and leaves.
● No water in lungs, ruling out drowning.
● The victim's hands showed signs of defensive injuries.
● Shoe prints and drag marks present near the burial site.

Forensic Investigation :
1. Forensic Pathology (Postmortem Findings)
● Cause of death: Manual strangulation
● Findings included:
● Bruising around neck
● Fractured hyoid bone
● Petechial hemorrhages in eyes
● Time since death: 72–96 hours
➡️ Established homicide and ruled out accident or suicide.

2. DNA Analysis
● Skin tissue found under victim’s fingernails.
● DNA profiling matched a male suspect known to the victim.
● Blood stains on the suspect's clothes matched the victim's DNA.

3. Forensic Entomology
● Maggots collected from bodies identified as Calliphora species.
● The larval stage confirmed the postmortem interval, matching the missing report timeline.
● Helped verify the time of burial.

4. Trace Evidence
● Soil on suspect’s shoes matched soil from burial site.
● Plant fragments on the body matched plantation vegetation.
● Fibers from victim’s clothing found in suspect’s car.

5. Digital and Circumstantial Evidence
● Mobile phone location placed suspect with victim on night of death.
● Deleted messages recovered showing previous threats.
● CCTV footage showed the suspect's vehicle near the plantation.

Conclusion:
● Scientific evidence proved that:
● Victim was killed by strangulation
● Body was concealed to destroy evidence
● Murder was committed by a known person

Legal Outcome :
● BNS Section 302 – Murder
● BNS Section 201 – Causing disappearance of evidence
● The court relied heavily on medical and forensic evidence.

Significance of the Case :
● Demonstrates role of:
● Forensic pathology
● DNA profiling
● Entomology
● Digital forensics

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