Death of a farm worker in a paddy field: A rare suspicious death investigation report

Abstract

The examination of crime scenes, in particular, death scenes requires knowledge, keen observation, aptitude and presence of mind to find out the truth. There are incidences wherein a death scene appeared homicide, but in reality, it may be suicide since the body posture may confuse to explain. The corresponding author, also then forensic crime scene investor/ field criminalist (herein as TN) visited a suspicious death scene wherein a farming worker was found dead in a paddy field. The first officer from the police station arrived and guarded the scene and the family members of the deceased alleged murder and sought justice and to arrest the accused. The police inspector also visited the scene, registered a case under suspicious death and requisitioned the forensic service. The field criminalist immediately arrived at the scene and on a thorough examination of the scene, he ruled out the possibility of homicide. The body was found on the stagnated watery clay field and the dress worn was found intact. Interestingly, the author noticed no other injuries except a linear charred mark on the buttock and back of the body. Around the paddy crops, barbed fencing wire was found laid along the bund and also, he noticed some dead rodents in bunding areas. On complete analysis of the scene and reconstruction, the author, also the forensic crime scene investigator opined that the cause of death was due to electrocution from illegal electric fencing constructed by the land owner and ruled out the possibility of homicide, thus solved the mystery.

Keywords

• suspicious death
• alleged homicide
• electrocution