The capacity of directorate of criminal investigation departments in crime scene management: a case study of Kajiado North Sub-County

Abstract

Crime scene management has been an issue of great concern in Kenya. Criminal cases have been rested without securing convictions due to mismanaged crime scenes and bungled evidence leading to an increase in crime. Kajiado North Sub-County proportionately shares this high crime rate and this, therefore, led the researcher to investigate the extent to which the Kajiado North’s Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) departments could deliver what was required in crime scene management. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the training levels and skills of officers, the adequacy of technological resources used in crime scene management, and the external and internal areas of improvement by the DCI for enhanced crime scene management in Kajiado North Sub County. The study was anchored on Lockard’s exchange principle and the Crime Scene Reconstruction Theory. In the conceptual framework the management of the crime scene was the dependent variable, while the independent variables were; training levels and skills of officers in crime scene management, adequacies of technologies and instruments used to collect, examine and preserve material traces of crime scenes available at the DCI in crime scene management and external and internal areas of improvement for enhanced crime scene management. This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in Kajiado North Sub County Police Command in Kajiado County. The sample size to be studied was 116 respondents drawn from a population of 610. The sampling technique is missing. This sample was selected through a proportionate stratified random sampling method. The research instruments used in this research included questionnaires and key informant interviews. The research instruments were tested for validity and reliability. The statistical software analysis tool, SPSS version 26 was used to analyse quantitative data contained in the research and instrument reliability. An overall Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.899 was obtained, showing that the questionnaires were reliable. Validity was ensured by supervisors who checked the instruments and their comments were integrated into the final data collection tools. Frequencies and percentages were used in the analysis of quantitative data, which was presented in figures and tables, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Qualitative data were presented using themes that arose from the responses. The study found that formal training on crime scene management was present for most security officers, though the training was done before the officers joined their respective positions. In addition, important equipment such as lockable cabinets, remote stations, and logistical equipment was missing, which hampered the process of crime scene investigations. Further, both internal and external factors existed that affected how crime scene management was conducted. The study recommends training for all security officers who are involved in crime scene management. The study further recommended that the government should work towards providing necessary instruments such as lockable cabinets for all officers involved in crime scene management, in addition to enough vehicle and equipment such as gloves, stationary, body bags, biohazard bags, first aid kits, and bodily fluid collection kit that were not present for all officers. There is also a need for the promotion of knowledge to the public through awareness creation programmes that bribery and corruption should be avoided, as this affects them in one way or another. The findings of this study are expected to bring forth significant contributions to policy, research, and community. The research findings can further be used by law enforcers and contribute to the available knowledge of crime scene management.