The Nagaland Forensic Science Association (NFSA) has expressed concern over the status of the Nagaland Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), as the state was yet to see any change or progress.
NFSA general secretary LanujunglaImsong, and members Avibunuo Wezah and N Tiamenla in a press release pointed out that the as per the new criminal laws that were being implemented from July 1, 2024, the provision of forensic experts had been made mandatory for collection of forensic evidence from the crime scene. They said the new criminal law demanded more forensic science, including the use of technology and forensics in the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence.
They stated that Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) required a forensic expert to visit the crime scene to collect evidences in cases where the offence was punishable by at least seven years or more in prison.
Amidst the need for more forensic experts and the mandatory provisions under the new criminal law, they feared that forensic laboratories might have to deal with a whopping 8,000% more cases every year, as forensic lab that examined 1,000 cases would have to handle 80,000 cases.
Welcoming the new changes that would strengthen investigation and criminal justice system, the NFSA leaders feared that overall increase in forensic workload across the states would mean that samples gathered from crime cases in and sent to Guwahati FSL or any nearby FSL for analysis would face delays and would not be the priority of another state, leading to delay in justice.
They explained that forensic science went beyond the scope of merely collection and preservation of evidences, and was about using scientific method, instruments and techniques to analyse evidences and interpret conclusive results to solve criminal cases and sometimes civil cases too.
They recalled that Nagaland set up its first FSL in 1982 with only fingerprint and photography divisions which was later shifted to Kachari Gaon, Dimapur in September 2018.
The new infrastructure and addition of five new departments were inaugurated by deputy chief minister Y Patton who stated on the occasion that additional five new departments would lead to creation of nine scientific posts, whose recruitment would be done through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). They said his statement was published in local newspapers on September 27, 2018.
However, they lamented that to date, even after 42 years since FSL was set up, there had been no advertisement for recruitment.
They mentioned that the NFSA comprising of more than 30 registered members had constantly written to and met Home Department officials and Nagaland Police headquarters, but to no avail as the creation of nine scientific posts was still under process and kept pending even in final stages (yet to be approved by chief minister office).
They said the delay in recruitment had led to overage of potential scholars, some of whom had done PhD, worked in other FSLs, and were NET and FACT qualified.
So far, they said only police personnel visited the crime scenes and collected evidence to be sent to nearby FSLs, as the FSL in Dimapur had no scientific officers, scientific assistants, or forensic lab technician.
They maintained that a function FSL should be able to do DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, ballistic analysis, toxicological analysis (identifying the poison or drug found in viscera in suspected poisoning cases), blood splatter analysis, interpret trace evidences and also the fastest growing digital forensic analysis. But, they lamented that the state’s FSL was yet to become an analysing institution.
They pointed out that delays in forensic reports and dangers of degradation or contamination of evidences while transporting were sensitive yet crucial manners, as these could lead to injustice and hurt the sentiments of the victims’ families who put their hope in the justice system.
Additionally, with the ever increasing number of crime cases in today’s society, they requested the state government to take into account the need for upgrading forensic science in Nagaland, conduct investigation by implementing the new criminal laws enforced by the Centre and initiate speedy recruitment of forensic personnel as promised.