How to solve crimes better

Context: Forensic sciences have gained great cultural popularity over the past two decades with the onset of crime shows on
television. For example, Series like Law and Order, Mare of Easttown, Shetland and Real Detective.

What is forensic science?

Forensic science is the application of scientific perspectives and techniques to the legal process, including investigations and courtroom protocol. In other words, “It is the use of scientific data and procedures specifically for the legal system.”

There is rigorous procedure involved, including controlled conditions, reliable data collection and the attempt to disprove hypotheses.”

Forensic science involves methodologies like the autopsy procedures, fingerprinting, testing and matching for poisons, blood spatter analysis, matching guns to bullets fired (ballistics), voice sample matches, handwriting assessments and DNA analysis.

Forensic science laboratories (FSL) in India

At the Central level

There are seven central forensic laboratories in India at Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Guwahati, Bhopal and Pune. The CBI controls the laboratory in Delhi and the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) controls other six laboratories, barring Delhi.

Their mission is to render high quality and credible forensic services to the justice delivery system

A National Forensic Sciences University was established in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2020.

At the State level

There are 32 state FSLs and about 529 mobile FSL units, of which Delhi has one state FSL and six mobile units.

Others

There are many private forensic laboratories in the country and their quality and standards of integrity vary. 

What is the importance of forensic science?

The investigation is done for the collection of proof pointing to innocence or guilt. It also involves the deployment of forensic science.

The criminal cases are solved by police conducting investigations which are aided by forensic science. The well-trained forensic staff working in good quality laboratories aid the criminal justice system.

What are the issues?

India has amongst the highest disparities in police-citizens and judge-citizens ratios.

The DNA tests discovered in 1985 are used to identify individuals involved in alleged crimes. In 2017,

The United Kingdom completes DNA testing on over 60,000 crimes annually. However, India completes such tests on less than 7,500 cases despite having over 13 times the population of the UK.

India has an inadequate number of forensic science laboratories (FSL). In addition, there is a lack of adequate qualified personnel. For example, the Supreme Court observed In Re: Speedy Trial of Undertrial Prisoners (2018) that 97 posts of scientific officers and 67 administrative posts are unfilled in the Central Forensic Science Laboratories. Further, in all states, there were over 50% vacancies in personnel at their facilities.

The average pendency at each lab is huge.

The Court recognised that the lack of personnel meant that often trials were delayed to non-receipt of FSL reports.

In India, the FSL reports take an inordinate amount of time to be prepared. This prevents conduct of forensic analysis and the criminal justice system relies principally on witness statements.

Way Forward

The Court had asked the central government to address the issue of non-filling of the personnel in FSL.

India needs more investment in the establishment of FSL laboratories, the training and appointment of personnel.

There is a requirement of reforms within our police to establish a trained and skilled detective cadre tasked with solving complex and heinous crimes.

There is a desperate need for good quality training facilities, standards of accreditation and continuous education programmes for our forensic experts.

As forensic science is ever-evolving, it is important to know which facets of the science are still credible and what methodologies must be discarded.

Source: The post is based on an article “How to solve crimes better” published in the Indian Express on 28^th May 2022.