Development of Forensic Science Process Guidelines for Environmental Crime Investigations in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand has encountered severe environmental issues including pollution, which have emanated in the form of environmental crime cases. The lack of forensic science expertise further worsens this condition. This research aimed at framing guidelines for the development of forensic science process to assist in environmental crime investigation in Thailand. By using a qualitative research design, data was collected from in-depth interviews with 49 key informants, who were all executive officers, judges, public prosecutors and academics involved in environmental crime investigations. The results revealed that forensic science process in environmental crime investigation in Thailand must develop human resource, relevant agency of environmental crime investigation, cooperation, modern equipment andtechnology. The study also suggestedthat it must builda knowledge base and a standardized forensic science manual to prescribe operating procedure for officers. This manual shouldbe adheredto by all relevant agency to perform their duties toward collecting, preserving, analyzing, and investigation of environmental crime in a uniform manner.