Mahazar
Definition
The formal seizure list used in Indian criminal procedure (BNSS 2023) to document the collection of physical evidence at a scene. Prepared by the investigating officer with two independent witness signatures; serves as the foundational chain-of-custody document for forensic exhibits in Indian courts.
Related terms
- ASTM E2998
- Standard Guide for Sampling Improvised Explosive Devices and Post-Blast Debris for Explosive Residue Analysis. Specifies cotton swabs, isopropanol or methanol pre-wetting, swabbing...
- Chain of Custody
- The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, transferred, and examined a piece of evidence. For digital evidence, chain of custody includes...
- Friction Lid
- The press-on metal lid used to seal evidence cans for fire debris. Seated by pressing firmly around the rim; allows field packaging...
- Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
- A field-deployable analytical technique that separates ions by their mobility in an electric field at atmospheric pressure. Used for trace explosive detection...
- LC-MS/MS
- Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The preferred confirmatory method for non-volatile organic explosives (PETN, RDX, TNT, NG) because it avoids...
- Passive Headspace Concentration (PHC)
- ASTM E1412 extraction method. The sealed evidence container is heated at 60-80°C; volatilised hydrocarbons adsorb onto an activated charcoal strip suspended in...
- Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM)
- A GC-MS operating mode in which the mass spectrometer monitors only a set of pre-selected diagnostic m/z values, rather than scanning the...
- Tamper-Evident Sticker
- A self-adhesive label applied across the lid-rim or closure interface of an evidence container. Any disturbance of the container after sealing leaves...
- Unlined Metal Can
- The standard evidence container for fire debris analysis. 'Unlined' refers to the absence of internal plastic or epoxy coating, which would contribute...
Explained in
- Lab Equipment, Evidence Handling and Chain of CustodyThe formal seizure list used in Indian criminal procedure (BNSS 2023) to document the collection of physical evidence at a scene. Prepared by the investigating...