Truth Under the Unseen: Forensic Science In India

By: Immi Nur

​If we want to understand the literal definition, then it states that Forensic Science is the study of all basic sciences, its principles, tools & techniques for the purpose of administration of justice in the court of law.

​Though it gives a preliminary idea about Forensic Science, the field is more diverse and progressive.

​The term Forensic comes from a Latin word “Forensis” which means courtyard. Though the first use of Forensic was back in 44 BCE for the Assassination of Julius Caesar back in Roman Empire. The autopsy Julian Caesar was stabbed 23 times! and the autopsy doctor was asked surprisingly, not for what forensic data in today’s time. But, he was asked whose stab had killed him, meant who was able to kill him in the slab.

​Though the actual origin of forensic science is very ancient. Indians studied various patterns of the papillary lines 1000 years ago. Indians knew the individuality of fingerprint, which they use as signature. Even Arthashastra by Kautilya (2300 years ago) signifies the origin and the point that how ancient it was.

​During 19th century, when cases due to poisoning posed a problem to the law enforcement agencies, then Britishers made the 1st Chemical Examiner’s Lab at Madras in 1849 for isolate detection & estimation of various poisons. Subsequently, Chemical examiner lab opened in Calcutta, Agra, Bombay. World’s 1st Fingerprinting Bureau was set up in Calcutta (1897).

​Organizational Setup & Advancements of Forensic Science in India:

​Forensic Analysis is done in Forensic Science Laboratory. There are 7 Central Forensic Science Laboratories in India (CFSLs). 32 state FSLs, 30 (+10) regional FSLs (RFSLs), 529 local FSLs (including mobile forensic vans). The 7 CFSLs are under DFSS (Directorate of Forensic Science Services) under MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). They are at: Calcutta, Delhi (CBI), Guwahati (Kamrup district), Hyderabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Pune. SFSLs are generally under state home department or state police.

​Diversity of Forensic Science:

​It should also need to understand that Forensic investigation and analysis is not confined with fingerprint, DNA analysis, blood, semen, saliva, hair, nail, footprints, type marks etc. that are primarily shown in TV shows & Movies. Rather, it is a subject of wider diversity. In an overview we can tell that anything related to a crime investigation which needs a scientific outlook for collection, packing, analyzing or even reporting in court comes under forensic.

​Divisional Examples:

​The various divisional examples of Forensic Science is an effective way to understand its wider proximity.

​Forensic Physics, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Biology, Serology, DNA analysis, Fingerprint & Footprint , Toxicology, Ballistics, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Odontology, Forensic Entomology, Wildlife forensic, Forensic engineering, Forensic Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Voice print analysis, Forensic Photography, Forensic Document Analysis, Cyber Forensics, Digital Forensics, Forensic Psychology & so on.

 Advantages of Forensic Science:

 Accurate identification through DNA, fingerprints, blood groups, etc. ​Ex :Nirbhaya case, Sheena Bora case.

Scientific reliability & credibility in legal cases. ​Ex : Due to improper crime scene management, the Arushi Talwar murder case (2008) remains unsolved.

Helpful in solving cold cases even after many years. Detect cyber crime, financial crime & terrorist activity. Autopsy & toxicology help in medico-legal cases. Establishing a timeline through entomology & pathology.

Disadvantages of Forensic Science:

High cost of technology & equipment. Delay in lab reports due to the backlog of cases. Possibility of evidence tampering or contamination. Sometimes misused / manipulated in high profile cases.

Reality of Forensic Science in India:

Our people love to watch Crime TV shows, movies, series & clips. They are driven by the fascination of the shows that how a forensic investigator finds clues, investigates, analyzes and finally catches the perpetrator/culprit. These glorifications about forensics give a wrong & misunderstood message to the general audience. Instead, the reality does not match with the reel life, often contradicts and sometimes turns out to be completely opposite. In real life, crime scene management is a strenuous & hideous job to do. Many people are responsible for their designated part. So proper management is the foremost part to perform. Besides, the Forensic investigator should strictly follow protocol & systematic outlook for securing, searching the crime scene.

Also, more caution & attention is given to collected & packaging the samples for proper preservation. Above all, every possible threat of contamination, improper management & adopting analytical method should be eliminated & most importantly, The Chain of Custody, both paperwork & chain of handling evidence should be clear, precise & intact.

​Now comes the most interesting part, the admissibility of the evidence. The admissibility of the evidence is solely dependent on the Judge/Jury in the court. A single loophole, whether in management or paperwork can lose its credibility and thus its admissibility.

​All the efforts of each member goes in vain in a blink of an eye!

​In Indian context, it is seen that the Police are generally responsible for visiting Crime Scene first, securing it with tape, even collection & packaging of evidences. But, due to their poor scientific knowledge & improper training in collection & packaging of evidence, the evidence loses its evidential value and thus does not yield reliable results even in the FSLs.

Also, as the State & Regional FSLs are under State Police in many states, sometimes subjugation, verge for quick analysis & report making is done which results in the ill-effect of the accuracy & reliability of the test report performed. In Indian court still Witness Testimony is taken as a real and direct evidence whereas forensic evidence is taken as a circumstantial and secondary type of evidence.

​We can say that Forensic acts as a catalyst to deliver justice to an individual. It assists the Criminal Justice system to provide justice more accurately.

​Besides, we also understand that Forensic merely confirms the presence of an individual in the crime scene, not his crime specifically. They may be guilty/innocent. The domain of giving verdict is not for forensic, it solely on the courtroom proceedings & the Judge.