The Sheena Bora Murder Case - Forensic Science.pptx

The presentation, "The Sheena Bora Murder Case: A Forensic Perspective," examines one of India's most sensational crimes, highlighting the crucial role of forensic science in solving the case. Sheena Bora, a 24-year-old woman, was allegedly murdered in 2012 by her mother, Indrani Mukerjea, but the crime remained undetected for three years due to police negligence and a well-planned cover-up. The case came to light in 2015 when Indrani’s driver, Shyamvar Rai, was arrested in an unrelated case and confessed to the murder. Investigations revealed multiple motives, including financial disputes, personal conflicts, and Indrani’s fear of exposure regarding her secret relationship with Sheena. Forensic science played a pivotal role, with DNA analysis confirming Sheena’s identity, forensic anthropology determining strangulation as the cause of death, and digital forensics uncovering suspicious phone activity. Despite these breakthroughs, the case faced significant challenges such as mishandling of evidence, delayed forensic examinations, and prolonged legal proceedings. The investigation also raised ethical and psychological questions about family betrayals, financial greed, and the misuse of power. The ongoing trial, with Indrani Mukerjea granted bail in 2022, underscores the need for improved forensic infrastructure, better crime scene management, and a more efficient judicial process to ensure timely justice in such high-profile cases.

1. The Sheena Bora Murder Case: A Forensic Perspective Subtitle: Analyzing the Role of Forensic Science in Solving a High-Profile Crime By : C118 – Mithil Parekh C131 – Sahil Shah C140 – Sakshi Nayak C168 – Arya Thakkar C182 – Shreya Rathod

2. 1. Introduction to the Case The Sheena Bora murder case is one of India's most sensational crimes, involving hidden family secrets, financial disputes, and a planned cover-up. Sheena, a 24-year-old woman , was allegedly murdered on April 24, 2012 , but the crime went undetected for over three years . Her mother, Indrani Mukerjea , falsely claimed that Sheena had moved abroad. The case only surfaced in August 2015 when Shyamvar Rai , Indrani’s driver, was arrested in an unrelated case and confessed to helping Indrani and her ex-husband, Sanjeev Khanna , commit the murder and dispose of the body. Forensic science played a key role in solving the case, as DNA analysis confirmed the identity of Sheena’s remains, forensic anthropology determined strangulation as the cause of death, and digital forensics exposed suspicious phone activity. The case also highlighted police negligence , as the Raigad Police had discovered human remains in 2012 but failed to investigate. This case underscores the importance of forensic science in delayed investigations and the need for better crime scene management to ensure timely justice.

3. 2. Key People Involved Victim: Sheena Bora (24 years old) – Allegedly murdered by her own mother. Main Accused: Indrani Mukerjea – Sheena’s mother and alleged mastermind. Sanjeev Khanna – Indrani’s ex-husband and co-accused. Shyamvar Rai – Indrani’s driver who later confessed. Other Involved: Peter Mukerjea – Indrani’s husband, suspected of knowing about the crime. Rahul Mukerjea – Peter’s son, Sheena’s boyfriend, and the first to suspect something was wrong.

4. 3. Timeline of Events April 24, 2012: Sheena Bora was murdered but was reported as having "gone abroad." May 2012: Raigad Police discovered skeletal remains but failed to investigate. August 2015: Shyamvar Rai, while being interrogated in an unrelated case, confessed to the murder. August 2015: Indrani, Sanjeev, and Shyamvar were arrested. 2016-Present: The case proceeded with forensic investigations, trials, and legal battles.

5. 4. Motives Behind the Murder Investigators suggested multiple motives behind the murder: Financial Disputes: Sheena allegedly had knowledge of Indrani’s fraudulent financial dealings. Personal Conflict: Indrani was strongly against Sheena’s relationship with Rahul Mukerjea . Fear of Exposure: Indrani had presented Sheena as her sister instead of her daughter, and the truth coming out could damage her reputation and social standing.

6. 5. Role of Forensic Science in the investigation Since the crime was committed in 2012 but only uncovered in 2015, forensic science played a vital role in proving the murder. With no eyewitnesses and lost evidence due to police negligence, forensic techniques such as DNA analysis, forensic anthropology, and digital forensics became the primary tools to establish facts. These methods helped confirm the victim’s identity, determine the cause of death, and link the accused to the crime. Forensic experts also examined financial records, suspecting a monetary motive behind the crime. Additionally, forensic toxicologists attempted to determine if Sheena was drugged before being strangled, but decomposition prevented conclusive results. This case highlights how forensic science can solve even long-unsolved crimes when traditional evidence is unavailable.

7. 6. Identification of the Body – DNA Analysis In 2012, the Raigad Police found human remains but did not conduct any forensic testing. In 2015, forensic experts used DNA analysis to compare the skeletal remains with Indrani Mukerjea’s DNA. The results confirmed that the remains belonged to Sheena Bora, proving that she had been murdered. DNA testing was crucial in establishing Sheena’s death, as Indrani had claimed she was still alive and living abroad.

8. 7. Forensic Anthropology – Examining the Bones Forensic anthropologists analyzed Sheena Bora’s skeletal remains to determine the cause of death. Examination of the hyoid bone revealed fractures, indicating strangulation, which matched the driver’s confession. Burn marks on the bones further confirmed attempts to destroy evidence, making forensic anthropology crucial in proving the murder. Experts also assessed the bone structure and dental records to verify the victim's identity. The findings supported the prosecution’s claim that Sheena was murdered and her body was burned to conceal the crime.

9. 8. Digital Forensics – Call Data and Messages Investigators retrieved Sheena’s mobile phone records from 2012 and found that her phone activity had suddenly stopped on April 24, the day of her murder. However, messages were sent from her phone after her death, raising suspicions that someone else had been using it to create the illusion that she was alive. Call records of Indrani, Sanjeev, and Shyamvar also showed unusual communication patterns before and after the murder, providing critical evidence in the case.

10. 9. Forensic Toxicology – Was Sheena Drugged? Forensic toxicologists investigated whether Sheena Bora was drugged before being strangled , as suspected based on witness statements. However, due to the advanced decomposition of her remains, they were unable to detect any traces of drugs or poison. This highlighted the challenges of delayed forensic examinations , where crucial evidence can be lost over time. If toxicology tests had been conducted when the body was first discovered in 2012, more conclusive results could have been obtained. The case emphasizes the importance of immediate forensic intervention in criminal investigations to preserve critical evidence.

11. 10. Challenges in the Investigation The investigation faced several challenges, including: Delayed Discovery of the Crime: The body was found in 2012 but remained unidentified, leading to loss of evidence. Mishandling of the Crime Scene: The Raigad Police failed to collect forensic evidence properly, compromising the investigation. Influence of Wealth and Power: Indrani’s influential status led to suspicions of law enforcement negligence in 2012.

12. 11. Mistakes by Law Enforcement The investigation faced major setbacks due to police negligence and mishandling of evidence. In 2012, the Raigad Police discovered human remains but failed to conduct forensic tests or preserve them properly. This led to a three-year delay in identifying Sheena Bora and gathering crucial evidence. If proper procedures had been followed, the case could have been solved much earlier. Additionally, suspicions arose that influential connections may have slowed the initial investigation. This case highlights the urgent need for better forensic training, stricter crime scene protocols, and accountability in law enforcement to prevent such failures in the future.

13. 12. How the Case Could Have Been Solved Faster The case could have been solved much earlier with immediate forensic intervention when the body was first discovered in 2012. Conducting DNA testing and toxicology reports at the time would have provided stronger evidence and prevented key forensic clues from being lost. Proper crime scene management was also lacking, as the remains were neither preserved nor thoroughly examined. Additionally, a fast-track court system for high-profile cases could have ensured a quicker legal process, preventing delays in justice.

14. 13. Ethical and Psychological Aspects The case raises serious ethical and psychological questions: How could a mother be accused of killing her daughter? How does media coverage influence public perception of criminal cases? What psychological traits drive individuals to commit such crimes? How does delayed justice impact the victims’ families and public trust in the legal system? What role does financial greed play in influencing criminal behavior within families?

15. 14. Legal Proceedings and Current Status Indrani Mukerjea was granted bail in 2022 after spending nearly seven years in jail. The trial is still ongoing, and the final verdict is yet to be delivered. The case has been delayed due to legal complexities and procedural issues. Multiple delays in court hearings due to legal complexities and procedural challenges have prolonged the case, raising concerns about the efficiency of the judicial system. Key witnesses and accused have changed their statements over time, making it difficult to establish a clear sequence of events and further delaying the verdict.

16. 15. Lessons Learned from the Case Stronger forensic infrastructure is needed to ensure that critical evidence is analyzed promptly, preventing delays in investigations. Better coordination between law enforcement and forensic experts can help solve crimes more efficiently and avoid mishandling of evidence. The importance of forensic science in solving long-pending crimes. The need for strict protocols in handling unidentified human remains. Faster judicial processes are required for high-profile murder cases.

17. 16. Public Reaction and Social Debate The case sparked widespread public outrage and debate on crime within families. Raised ethical questions about trust and betrayal in close relationships. Discussions on whether financial greed and social status influenced the crime. Highlighted the need for mental health awareness and psychological evaluations in criminal investigations.

18. 17. The Role of Technology in Criminal Investigations Call data records and digital forensics played a crucial role in uncovering the truth. Advanced DNA analysis techniques helped confirm the victim’s identity after years. Modern forensic tools are essential in solving cold cases and delayed investigations. Emphasizes the need for continuous advancements in forensic science to aid law enforcement.

19. 18. Conclusion The Sheena Bora murder case highlights the critical role of forensic science in solving crimes, even after years of delay. DNA analysis, forensic anthropology, and digital forensics confirmed Sheena’s identity and linked the accused to the crime. However, police negligence in 2012 led to lost evidence and delayed justice. This case underscores the importance of timely forensic intervention and proper crime scene management, as well as raising ethical concerns about family conflicts, financial motives, and misuse of power in criminal cases.

20. THANK YOU