Home Ministry may revamp forensic science set-up

Home Ministry may revamp forensic science set-up
ATIR KHAN

NEW DELHI, JAN 10: The Union Home Ministry is actively considering a report by National Human Rights Commission for the ``re-engineering'' of the forensic science set-up for better and speedy criminal justice administration. The reports recommends setting up mobile forensic science units and labs at each police range of the country, among other things.

Sources said Home Ministry officials are examining the possibilities of implementation of the NHRC report, which observes that the trial of criminal cases is unduly delayed because of the failure on the part of the prosecution to produce chemical analysis or serologist's report.

The NHRC, however, wants something done to get rid of the delays in the existing set up. NHRC secretary general N. Gopalaswamy says: ``We have been sending reminders to the Home Ministry to consider the report. It includes a lot of work such as improvement in forensic methods, equipment and additional manpower.''

According to a Home Ministry spokesperson: ``It has come to us and we are examining it. We have already allocated 20 per cent of this year's modernisation fund for labs and equipment.''

Adds Justice V.S. Malimath: ``The number of labs is grossly inadequate, it often, takes several years for them to send their reports. This contributes to the denial of right to speedy trial, which has been recognised by the Supreme Court as a part of the right to personal liberty of the prisoner.''

The NHRC had appointed a core group of scientists, including ChiefScientist of BPR&D Dr R.K. Tewari, CBI scientists at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Dr M.B. Rao, Director Forensic Science Laboratory, Haryana and other top forensic scientists of the country to prepare the report.

The scientists submitted the report to the NHRC in 1999 after extensive consultation with police officials, judicial officials, and heads of CBI officials, state forensic science establishment of the country.

The report talks about setting up of nodal agency for forensic science institutions and formation of an All India Forensic Science Service, in addition to calling for better co-ordination between police and forensic scientists.

It also recommends the integration of all the Central Forensic Science institutions viz. forensic science wing of BPR&D, including CFSL, National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, and the forensic science wing of National Police Academy, Hyderabad and their amalgamation into a Central Forensic Science Organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In addition, the report recommends that National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science should be converted into National Institute of Forensic Science so as to strengthen the forensic science training at the national level.