Forensic Science | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
Monthly Magazine Logo

Table of Content

Forensic Science

Posted 27 Jul 2024

3 min read

Why in the News?

Recently, Union Cabinet approved a Central Sector Scheme ‘National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme’ (NFIES) for the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

More on News

  • The scheme was approved in the context of expected increase in the workload of forensic science laboratories as Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 mandates forensic investigation for offences involving punishment of 7 years or more.
  • Components approved under NFIES include:
    • Establishment of Campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). 
    • Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories.
    • Enhancement of existing infrastructure of NFSU-Delhi.
  • Financial outlay of the Scheme will be provisioned by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget.
An infographic titled "Significance of Forensics" with five sections: 1) Criminal investigation, 2) Deterrence, 3) Disaster victim identification, 4) Historical and archaeological insights, 5) Cybercrime fighting. Each section has an icon illustrating its point.

About Forensics

  • Forensics involves application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes and gather evidence for use in legal proceedings.
  • It involves collecting, preserving, and analysing physical evidence to support or refute hypotheses in the court of law.
  • Techniques used in Forensics: DNA analysis, Fingerprint analysis, Ballistics, Toxicology, Digital forensics for electronic devices, etc.

 

Challenges of Forensics in India

  • Infrastructure and resources: Limited number of forensic laboratories and they are often under-resourced and overburdened, leading to significant backlogs in case processing.
    • e.g., ~40% shortage of staff in forensic labs across India. (BPRD)
  • Budget: Inadequate budgetary allocations for modernizing state police forces, including forensic capabilities.
  • Quality and standardization: Lack of standardized procedures and protocols across different forensic laboratories, result in inconsistencies in forensic results.
  • Legal and institutional: Challenges related to admissibility and reliability of forensic evidence in courts due to issues like contamination, improper handling, etc.
    • Bureaucratic hurdles and lack of effective interagency coordination often leads to inefficiencies and miscommunication.

Way Forward 

  • Recommendations by Malimath Committee (2003)
    • Institutional: Establish a mechanism for coordination amongst investigators, forensic experts and prosecutors at the State and District level for effective investigations.
      • Strengthen Forensic Medico Legal Services with adequate training facilities at the State/Central level for the experts doing medico legal work.
    • Training and capacity building: An year long induction training programme for newly recruited Prosecutors and Judges, a part of which should be with the police, forensic laboratories, courts and prisons.
      • UGC should consider creating the departments of Forensic Science in at least all the major universities. Later, Forensic Sciences could be introduced as subjects at the school level.
  • Others
    • Cybercrime investigation: Expand Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) initiative with a focus on training more cybercrime investigators and establishing more cyber forensic labs.
    • Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaborations between enforcement agencies and private forensic labs to expand capabilities and reduce backlogs.
    • International collaborations: Strengthen ties with international forensic institutions for knowledge exchange and transfer of technology in digital forensics and emerging fields.
  • Tags :
  • FORENSIC
Download Current Article