Modern forensic labs to make waves in Bangalore

Efforts are being made to modernise the directorate of forensic science laboratory (DFSL) in the city and its five regions.

“In the next five years, all the regional forensic labs at five police ranges will be having these services for the benefit of police officers to clear pending cases of various crimes,” a proposal from the DFSL said. It stated that new forensic disciplines like microbial forensic facility, alongside emergency and clinical toxicological facilities will be added.

“Microbial forensics is being considered the most important wing to handle cases of ‘bio-terrorism’ and cases of food poisoning by profiling the type of pathogens. Emergency and clinical toxicological facility will help render professional assistance regarding the nature of poison, type of antidotes to be deployed by doctors involved in treating cases of poisoning. This will help save several lives,” the proposal said.

In the coming years, the DFSL is also planning a poison information centre. “This is expected to speed up the rate of disposal of cases of poisoning,” the proposal stated. More facilities were required to profile adulteration cases under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, the proposal said.

The DFSL also wanted to augment a ballistic identification system, which involves identifying gun shots, and firearms used by criminals. 

“The system can compare 1,000 bullets in less than one hour, and can help speed up the matching procedures,” said the proposal.