Mysuru: Sign language expert attached to All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) played a crucial role in helping Mysuru district police solve a murder case after investigators discovered that the complainant, who was speech-impaired, could not communicate properly through routine questioning.The breakthrough came when police brought in trained sign language interpreters to understand the complainant’s account clearly and accurately.AIISH public relations officer AR Keerthi told TOI that a sign language expert assisted the district police in transcribing the sign language into text. First, the complainant’s sign language was reduced into a complaint. Later, the accused were quizzed based on questions provided by police. Keerthi said this was the first time police approached AIISH seeking help.GS Raghu, DSP, Nanjangud subdivision, told TOI police had a tough time revealing the murder as both the accused and the complainant were speech-impaired. It took almost a month to crack the case. Once communication barriers were removed, the complainant was able to express suspicions about certain known individuals. This gave investigators a more focused direction and helped them narrow down possible suspects. The expert did far more than simply translate, by becoming an essential bridge between police and the people involved in the case.Police were able to question individuals more effectively and verify statements with confidence. This unusual collaboration significantly strengthened the investigation and contributed to cracking the case.Police said their contribution not only helped deliver progress in the murder case, but also demonstrated how specialised communication support can directly aid justice and improve police work for all citizens.
