MoU for state lab accreditation
Shimla: To upgrade the forensic investigations, the state forensic science laboratory has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with union home ministry’s directorate of forensic sciences for accreditation and a quality manual had been prepared, top experts here stated.
At a meeting of HP Forensic Science Development Board presided over by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, director JR Gaur stressing upon the use of forensic science as incidence of crimes of different types informed the board about the MoU and the facilities available with the state laboratory.
Chief Minister Dhumal issued directions for fixing a time limit for reporting crime related investigations so that the cases can be timely put on trial and decided early.
Setting a time line of a maximum of 60 days for reporting cases related to biology, serology, chemistry and toxicology; 45 days for cases related to physics and ballistics related investigations; 30 days for document, photography and NDPS cases; 90 days for DNA investigations, the chief minister also instructed for setting up Tatkal service where reports were immediately needed for investigation or trial purposes. “In such cases, they should be examined and reported within a week,” he said.
Regional labs at Mandi and Dharamshala have also been asked to follow the same schedule.
To introduce more forensic experts the government was also looking at introducing a one year diploma course in forensic under bio-sciences department at Himachal Pradesh University, said Dhumal.
To ensure quality material was being used in public construction works, the state lab would also be put to test road and building material as well as retrieval of computer and phone data and testing of samples of petroleum products.
The lab officials disclosed that of the 5,733 cases received in 2010-11 as many as 5,118 had been examined and disposed off. Till end of May, in the current financial year, of the 1,617 cases with the labs, 1,136 had been disposed off.
Other present at the meeting included DS Manhas, DGP Himachal and Dr Shukla director central forensic lab, Chandigarh.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
