Now, forensic laboratories to work round-the-clock

Maharashtra’s forensic science laboratories (FSL) will soon work 24X7 on the lines of emergency services like hospitals, police and the fire brigade to do away with pending cases and generate faster forensic evidence for law enforcement agencies. This initiative — the first of its kind in India--will help faster investigations in cases of cybercrime, murder and sexual assault where instant analysis of evidence is necessary to track down and nab criminals.

“We are aiming at round-the-clock operations for forensic science laboratories. This will be done by filling up vacancies in sanctioned posts and by recruiting personnel on contractual basis. For the first time, we have put a condition in the recruitment of contractual employees stipulating that they may also have to work at night,” a senior home department official told DNA.

Maharashtra has a state-level forensic science laboratory in Mumbai and seven across the state (Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Nanded, Kolhapur and Aurangabad).

He added that they were planning to start work in a second shift in these establishments and gradually scale it up to 24X7 operations. “The capacity of the machinery and equipment in our labs is under-utilised. This increase in working hours will ensure their optimum utilization,” the official said.

An official from the FSL said they planned to begin this with a 24X7 functioning for the clinical toxicology section. “The analysis by this department is also necessary in cases where people have ingested poisons.