To minimise chances of criminal cases falling apart due to compromised or improperly collected forensic evidence, the Maharashtra Home department is training police personnel in the scientific protocols of collecting these samples.

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This, officials said, will help take cases like rape, murder and sexual assault to their logical end based on forensic testing. They pointed to how instances of improper collection of samples from the crime scene led to investigations and outcomes being affected.

"We have trained three batches comprising of 25 cops each so far with the fourth expected to be completed in December. We have selected constables with masters or bachelors degrees in science with two to four people being selected from each district. These constables will be trained in conducting basic tests and collection of forensic samples," said an official from the state Home department.

SP Yadav, Director General of Police (Legal and Technical), said the constables would be posted on the 45 mobile forensic vans which have been deployed in all districts for testing and forensic evidence collection.

"We are recruiting permanent staff for these posts after which these constables can be posted in police stations where these skills will be useful in criminal investigations," explained an official from the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL).

The 20-day residential training for the police is being held at the state-level forensic science laboratory in Mumbai.

"At times, blood-stained clothes are sent for DNA testing without drying them. This leads to fungal or bacterial growth on these wet clothes and affects the outcomes of the DNA analysis. We are instructing them to dry these clothes in the sun and fold them properly before sending them for testing," he said.

DFSL sources said they would also train more policemen and also medical and veterinary officers in these skills and techniques. 

"There are times when we have been sent viscera samples instead of blood samples in cases where deaths have occurred due to an overdose of anesthesia. This training will acquaint them with the samples to be sent for testing in different cases," said an official.

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Blood-stained clothes should be dried before sending them for DNA analysis. Fungal growth on wet clothes may affect the testing results.

Clothes with semen and blood in cases like rape or murder should be packed separately.

The teeth and femur bone of unknown dead bodies must be preserved for DNA evidence.