FORENSIC TOOLMARK ANALYSIS OF 3D IMAGING APLLICATION IN BURGLARY CASE

AUTHORS – ABINAYA S* & R G SUGITHKUMAR**

* LL.M. 2ND YEAR (CRIME & FORENSICS LAW), SOEL (SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW), THE TAMILNADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

** BCA LLB (HONS) LLM (CRIMINAL LAW), LAW FACULTY, SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, TNDALU

BEST CITATION – ABINAYA S & R G SUGITHKUMAR, FORENSIC TOOLMARK ANALYSIS OF 3D IMAGING APLLICATION IN BURGLARY CASE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (14) OF 2025, PG. 338-349, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/PNUY4319

ABSTRACT :

The integration of 3D imaging technologies in forensic toolmark analysis represents a paradigm shift in burglary investigation methodologies. This doctrinal research examines the application of 3D Imaging toolmark analysis in burglary investigations, exploring its scientific foundations, legal admissibility, and practical implementation challenges within the Indian criminal justice framework. Toolmark evidence has historically been critical in linking suspects to burglary crime scenes, as perpetrators frequently employ tools such as crowbars, screwdrivers, and bolt cutters to force entry. However, traditional two-dimensional microscopic comparison methods have faced criticism for their subjective nature and lack of statistical validation.

This study investigates how emerging 3D surface topography technologies—including confocal microscopy, focus variation microscopy, and coherence scanning interferometry—provide objective, quantifiable methods for toolmark comparison with enhanced accuracy and reproducibility. The research analyzes validation studies demonstrating false-positive error rates below 1% and classification accuracies exceeding 96% for 3D-based algorithms. Within the Indian legal context, the study examines the admissibility of such evidence under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA), particularly Section 39 governing expert opinion, and the mandatory forensic investigation provisions under Section 176(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).

The findings suggest that while 3D toolmark analysis offers significant improvements in objectivity and statistical rigor, its implementation in India faces challenges including infrastructure limitations, standardization requirements, and judicial unfamiliarity with emerging forensic technologies.

Keywords: 3D Imaging Toolmark Analysis, Burglary Investigation, Forensic Science, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Evidence Admissibility, Crime Scene Investigation