Bihar is significantly enhancing its forensic capabilities with nine new laboratories becoming functional within two years, taking the total number of laboratories to 13. The move, driven by the new Indian Civil Defense Code, emphasizes evidence-based investigations. The state is also expanding DNA and cyber forensics facilities with plans for new laboratories and a National Forensic Sciences University campus.

Patna: Taking a major step towards scientific and evidence-based policing, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Tuesday announced that nine more Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) will be made fully functional within the next one to two years, taking the total number of such facilities across the state to 13.Speaking at the two-day ‘Satellite Conference on Biological Sciences’ here organized by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), CID, Patna, in collaboration with the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) of the Home Ministry, the DGP said that currently four FSLs, located at Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Rajgir (Bihar Police Academy), are functioning in the state.He said that buildings of nine other regional FSLs have already been completed and 102 Assistant Directors and Senior Scientific Assistants have been appointed, which will help in making these laboratories fully functional soon.The conference has brought together national and international domain experts, scientists from various state and central FSLs and other experts in the field.Underscoring the growing importance of scientific methods in crime investigation, especially after the implementation of the Indian Civil Code (BNSS), the DGP said that for crimes punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more, the officer in charge must ensure that a forensic expert visits the crime scene to collect evidence. “This provision aims to reduce reliance on witness statements and make the investigation more credible and evidence-based,” he said.The DGP highlighted the progress made by the state in forensic infrastructure in the last two decades. “In 2012-13, forensic services were provided in only 700-800 cases, when the number of scientists was around 30-35. Today, the state is handling around 18,000 such cases annually, which shows a massive expansion in capacity and capabilities,” he said.The DGP expressed concern over the increasing pendency in DNA testing, especially in POCSO cases, where DNA testing has now been made mandatory. Pointing out that Bihar currently has only one DNA laboratory, he urged DFSS to extend support to set up three to four such new laboratories in the state. He suggested that financial assistance could be taken from Nirbhaya Fund or other central schemes to address the backlog and ensure timely justice in sensitive cases.He said that in 28 districts, where regional FSLs have not been established, construction of buildings for district mobile laboratories has been completed and scientists have been deployed to make them operational. The state has also deployed 50 forensic vans in 40 police districts. These mobile units allow teams of scientists to quickly reach a crime scene, identify and collect evidence and send them to laboratories for testing, he said.The DGP said that to further enhance forensic capabilities, the state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National University of Forensic Sciences to set up a campus in the state, the site selection process for which is currently underway. He said that another MoU has been signed to set up cyber forensic laboratories in Patna and Rajgir to effectively deal with online and digital crimes.DFSS Director-cum-Chief Forensic Scientist SK Jain told the gathering that currently there are seven Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) in the country, with eight more expected to be established soon. He said, “The Central Government has approved two major schemes – Nirbhaya Scheme for strengthening DNA and cyber forensics in state laboratories, and Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capabilities (SMFC) for procurement of mobile forensic vans and equipment.Jain said: “Under SMFC, Rs 535 crore has been sanctioned for mobile vans, out of which Rs 360 crore has already been released to 22 states to purchase 223 vehicles.”Senior officials also participated in the conference, including GK Goswami, director of Uttar Pradesh Institute of Forensic Science; Additional Director General of Police (CID) Parasnath; and Hinjay Kumar, director of Forensic Science Laboratory, Patna.