‘The role of forensics in countering terrorism’ is the theme of the conference that will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi and presided over by the Chief

Justice of Gujarat High Court, K S Radhakrishnan .

During the deliberations, experts from India, the US, the UK, Canada, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, France, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan will present about 200 research papers on different subjects.

Giving details of the conference, Dr M S Rao, the Chief Forensic Scientist, DFS (Ministry of Home Affairs), told mediapersons on Friday that on the first day of the meet, CBI Director Ashwani Kumar will talk about ‘Investigation of terror-related cases’, while Eran Drukman from Israel and Dr V V Pillay from Cochin will speak on ‘Screening of suspects — psychological solutions’ and ‘Chemical terrorism’.

In the post-lunch session, Simon Rix from the UK will deliver a lecture on ‘Audio authentication’, while the Director, PEC, Canada will talk on ‘LIMS with DNA application’. Parallel technical sessions for judges and police officers will also be held the same day.

On January 19, Ravi Patil, ATS, Mumbai will speak on ‘cyber terrorism’, Dr Jaiprakash Shewale from the US on ‘molecular methods for combating terrorism’ and Werner Schuller, Interpol (France), on ‘disaster victim identification’.

Three experts from the UK — David Robinson, Andrrew Morris and Paul Evernigton — are slated to deliver lectures on ‘AV forensic labs’, ‘use of visual analysis in countering terrorism’ and ‘ballistics and terrorism’ in that order.

On the concluding day, Tzachy Givaty from Israel and Alan Metthews, Director of FSS from the UK will speak on ‘investigation of mobile phones used in terror attacks’ and ‘application of DNA database in countering terrorism’, while Gujarat ATS chief Ajay Kumar Tomar will talk on ‘countering terrorism — lessons from Mumbai’.

“The internal security of our country is at risk, with our country facing threats both from within and outside. Forensic science can play a vital role in countering this. This has compelled forensic science experts to focus not only on detection (of crimes), but also on its prevention aspect,” said Dr Rao.

He said a new concept of preventive forensics is being developed in advanced countries to prevent terror attacks. The US spends billions of dollars on implementing this.

Experts will also interact and exchange their views on this new aspect at the conference.

J M Vyas, Director of Forensics, said that recurring violent outbursts have posed a great challenge to forensics also, as terror outfits are often found to be educated, socially affluent and conversant with modern technology to spread terror in the society.