Forensic Science Laboratory

Two decades long militancy in the State, and its ramifications, showed that the State Police establishment needed to be modernized in many aspects. The Government focussed on it and gradually addressed the requirements. It is a long process and has to be achieved over a period of time. The Union Home Ministry also has been of opinion that it must contribute to modernization process of State Police establishment. Now we have an approved plan and budget for this purpose, and the process is on rails.
Many far reaching changes are contemplated by way of modernizing police services. There is the plan for increasing the number of police stations and posts in order to cut long distances between them. Standardization of training, increasing mobility of flying squads, better and faster investigation into criminal cases, streamlining of communication system, upgraded fire power, and improved methods of mob control, healthier living conditions, more and better educational, health and job facilities for the wards of slain policemen are among the reforms actively under consideration of authorities. The purpose is to increase the efficiency of police services especially when the police are required to deal with insurgency in the State.
An important aspect of modernization programme of State Police has been that of strengthening and streamlining the area of forensic science. Old methods of conducting investigation in criminal cases are no more in use now. This branch of the science of investigation has undergone sea change.  Now we have very sophisticated instruments and methodology which can expedite conduct of investigation in criminal cases. Some times back, we had strongly pleaded in these columns that the existing Forensic Science Laboratory located in Bemina, Srinagar should be extended and upgraded adequately to meet the requirement of the State Police Department. It is heartening to know that the Government has finally given nod to have the state-of-art facilities for DNA Profiling and Audio-Video Authentication Technology. Government’s decision of creating two new divisions in the Forensic Science Laboratory—DNA Profiling and Laboratories Facilities and Computer/Cyber/Voice Identification and Video Authentication Technology would mean putting an end to the dependence of the FSL for sending samples outside the State for reports. That practice consumed lot of time and delay was not advisable especially in criminal cases related to militancy in the State. Two new divisions will be added to the existing FSL. We understand funds have been provided and tenders for installing new and modern machines and equipment have been floated and within a couple of months the upgraded laboratory will be able to begin functioning. This is good news and those in the police connected with conducting investigation in criminal cases will feel relieved.
Forensic science has become very important source of conducting investigation in criminal cases. Police authorities and legal institutions attach much importance and significance to forensic reports. As such one can imagine the responsibility which the investigators have while conducting scientific tests. The point that we would like to highlight is that after all behind the machine is the man. It is the operator of the machine who has to be of highest moral standard and infused with great sense of responsibility. We have many instances in which forensic reports have been challenged in a court of law. It is not a happy day for the experts at the FSL if their investigative report is challenged for professional competence.  The Director of the FSL in Bemina has said that in his proposal, he has asked for 99 posts of various categories beginning from Deputy Director downwards to the lowest rung to make the laboratory functional. However for the time being the existing staff will be deputed to receive training in some of the branches in FSLs outside the State. But ultimately, the laboratory has to have capacity manpower to handle investigation. We emphasize that in addition to imparting technical training to the contemplated staff, it should also be infused with sense of moral responsibility because its reports in critical criminal cases can become the decisive factor.
A new division to be added to the FSL will be related to computer/cyber identification that has assumed much importance in the light of increasing use of information technology by the anti-social and anti-national elements. Cyber crimes are on an increase and the State has not been able to control it so far owing to lack of proper equipment and expertise. Cyber crimes can prove threatening because the criminals in this case try to steal sensitive information related to security and deployment matters.
Government’s decision of adding two divisions to the existing FSL is welcome though belated. We expect that with improved and modernized system of forensic investigation, many criminal cases pending with the police will be disposed off and justice will be done.

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