Forensic Science

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.

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.