Lok Sabha Question No. 353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-19
Subject: Strengthening of FSLs
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 353

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  JULY, 2022/ ASHADHA 28, 1944 (SAKA)

STRENGTHENING OF FSLs.

353. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  strengthen  Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether the Government is aware that the problem of lack of skilled and experienced human resources is faced by the Forensic Analysis;

(c) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  campus  of  National Forensic Science University in all States and if so, the details thereof;

(e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  consider  the  application  for establishing campus of National Forensic Science University at Kollam in the vacant land available with Central Government Public Undertaking and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government proposes to establish regional centre forensic lab at Kollam in Kerala and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several steps for strengthening  of  Forensic Science  Laboratories  in the country,  and include, inter-alia:

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 353 FOR 19.07.2022

- (i) Modernization of Central Forensic Sciences Laboratories at Bhopal, Guwahati,  Pune  and  Kolkata  has  been  undertaken  at  a  total  cost  of Rs.253.27 crore.  The modern laboratories at Bhopal, Guwahati and Pune have already commenced functioning.
- (ii) Upgrading of machinery & equipment in the Central Forensic Sciences  Laboratories,  including  in  the  new  disciplines  of  Forensics  in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances, Digital Forensics,  DNA Forensic  analysis,  Forensic  Psychology.  Procurement  of  269  equipment have already been completed at a total cost of Rs.55.62 Crore.
- (iii) Setting-up a State-of-the-art DNA Analysis and Research & Development  facility  at  the  Central  Forensic  Sciences  Laboratory  at Chandigarh
- (iv) Setting  up  a  National  Cyber  Forensic  Science  Laboratory  at  the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Hyderabad to investigate important cases of digital fraud / cyber forensics.
- (v) Operationalizing  an  e-Forensics  IT  platform,  which  connects  117 forensic science laboratories (Central and State) in the country.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 353 FOR 19.07.2022

(vi) Approval of assistance to States/ Union Territories for strengthening DNA  analysis, Cyber-forensics and related facilities in States/Union Territories.  23  States/  Union  Territories  have  already  availed  Rs.203.45 crore as assistance.

(vii) Approval  of  a  Scheme  for  Modernization  of  Forensic  Capacities  for assisting States/ Union Territories to develop high quality forensic science facilities  in  the  States/UTs  to  facilitate  timely  investigation  through modernization  of  machinery  and  equipment  after  a  gap-analysis,  and facilitating availability of trained manpower in these laboratories.

(viii)  The  Directorate  of  Forensic  Science  Services  under  the  Ministry  of Home Affairs, to ensure quality and standardization in forensic examination  in  the  Forensic  Science  Laboratories  in  the  country,  has issued  Quality  Manuals  for  accreditation  of  laboratories  as  per  NABL standards (ISO 17025); Working Procedure Manuals in various disciplines of Forensic Sciences; Guidelines for collection, preservation & transportation of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases for Investigation Officers and medical Officers; a Standard list of Equipment for establishing/upgrading of Forensic Sciences Laboratories; and Standard Operating Procedures for Crime Scene Investigation.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 353 FOR 19.07.2022

(b)  and  (c):Taking  into  account  the  shortage  of  skilled  and  qualified manpower in the field of forensic sciences in our country, the Government has established the National Forensic Sciences University in the year 2020 as an Institution of National Importance through an Act of Parliament. The National  Forensic  Sciences  University  has  also  set  up  a  Centre  of Excellence  in  the  field  of  Narcotic  Drugs  &  Psychotropic  Substances  in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau for research and analysis.

(d): In  order  to  enhance  the  outreach,  the  National  Forensic  Sciences University has requested States/ Union Territories to identify their colleges/Institutions for affiliation with the University to undertake forensic  sciences  courses.  At  present,  apart  from  the  campuses  at Gandhinagar and Delhi, the University has commenced two new campuses in  Goa  and  Tripura.  Opening  of  a  new  campus  by  the  University  is  an ongoing process and is a function of feasibility and demand.

- (e): There is no such proposal under consideration at present.
- (f): Setting up of new Regional forensic science facility is a State subject and is dependent on the specific requirement of implementation of law by the States/ Union Territories.