Third degree not needed, truth serum does the trick

Custodial torture by police has been frowned upon by Bombay High Court, which wants human rights NGOs to keep watch on police stations across the state. Resorting to third degree to make an accused spill the beans is no more an option with the cops.

But thanks to narco-analysis tests, even hardcore criminals are talking. Moreover, it doesn’t entail the risk of human rights violation.

“Narco test, brain profiling, lie detector and psychological profiling of criminals are very much in use now,” said Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) director Rukmini Krishnamurthy. “They provide vital pointers to investigators.”

On Thursday, deputy chief minister RR Patil inaugurated an operation theatre at Nagpada Police Hospital. Narco-analysis tests would be conducted here by honorary doctors from police hospitals, with the help of forensic psychologists from the FSL,” said joint commissioner of police Hemant Karkare.

Only those suspects involved in heinous crimes and unwilling to spill the beans are subjected to narco-analysis. Some of the suspects arrested in the 11/7 train blasts case, suspected serial killer Ravindra Kantrolle, and fake stamp paper mastermind Abdul Karim Telgi, are among those subjected to narco tests.