Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (STARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Forensic Investigation
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *124

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  JULY, 2022/ SRAVANA 4, 1944 (SAKA)

FORENSIC INVESTIGATION

*124. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that dependence of the criminal justice system has been increased on forensic investigation in the country;

(b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  forensic  science capabilities available in the country;

(c) if so, the details in this regard and the corrective steps taken/proposed to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the  forensic  investigation system in the country;

(d)  the percentage of conviction rate at present and the extent to which the Government proposes to increase the rate of conviction thereafter;

(e) whether the Government has requested the States to affiliate at least one of their colleges with National Forensic Science University; and

(f)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  various  States  in  this regard?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*124 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 26.7.2022 REGARDING 'FORENSIC INVESTIGATION'

(a): As  per  available  information,  a  steady  rise  in  the  number  of  cases referred to  the Forensic Sciences Laboratories for forensic analysis over the last few years is indicative of the fact that the dependence of Criminal Justice System on forensic investigation is increasing.

(b) and (c):   The Government is focused on strengthening the capacities for  investigation  and  prosecution,  including  the  eco-system  for  forensic sciences in the country. The process of strengthening of forensic facilities in the country is an ongoing and continuous process which is dependent on  gap-analysis  and  demand  assessment.  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are State  subjects  under  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India. The  responsibilities  to  maintain  law  and  order,  protection  of  life  and property of the citizens including investigation, prosecution of crime and criminals, and related forensic science facilities, are with the State/Union Territory  concerned.  As  per  available  information,  there  are  32  State Forensic Science Laboratories, 81 Regional Forensic Science Laboratories, and 529 Mobile Forensic Science Vehicles with States/ Union Territories.  Apart  from  these,  there  are  7  Central  Forensic  Science Laboratories in the country which, inter-alia, supplement the task of

forensic  analysis  of  crime  exhibits  referred  to  them  by  States/  Central agencies,  and  also  undertake  Research  and  Development  activities  in forensics.  The  major  challenges  faced  by  forensic  sector  in  the  country include,  increasing  the  capacities  in  forensic  science  laboratories  to  be able to analyse cases referred for timely investigation, technology upgrade in the forensic science laboratories, making available trained manpower in the laboratories, and Quality Assurance and Quality Control of the Forensic Science Laboratories.

In order to address the above challenges, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several steps for strengthening of forensic capacities in the country, and include, inter-alia:

(i) Modernization  of  Central  Forensic  Sciences  Laboratories  at Bhopal,  Guwahati,  Pune  and  Kolkata.  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.

- (iii) Setting-up  a  State-of-the-art  DNA  Analysis  and  Research  & Development facility at the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory at Chandigarh.  The  new  facility  has  commenced  operations  since December 2019.
- (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. The laboratory has started functioning.
- (v) Operationalizing  an  e-Forensics  IT  platform,  which  connects 117 forensic science laboratories (Central and State) in the country.
- (vi)    Assistance  to  States/  Union  Territories  for  strengthening  the DNA analysis, Cyber-forensics and related facilities in their forensic laboratories.  Projects  have  been  approved  for  23  States/  Union Territories at a total cost of Rs.203.45 crore.
- (vii) A  Scheme  for  Modernization  of  Forensic  Capacities  has  been approved. This will provide assistance to States/ Union Territories to develop high quality forensic science facilities for modernization of machinery  and  equipment,  and  facilitating  availability  of  trained manpower  in  these  laboratories  through  expansion  of  educational facilities for forensic science in the country.

(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.

(d) The Government has a target to match the high conviction rate as in advanced nations.  The present conviction rate is 73.4 % (NCRB data).

(e) and (f):   Yes,  sir.    The  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has  requested States/ Union Territories to identify the colleges/institutions for affiliation with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).  The NFSU has also invited applications from the interested colleges/institutions for affiliation. As per available information, a total of 19 institutions/colleges have applied with the NFSU for affiliation.

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