Increase number of forensic labs says NHRC webinar panelists
Source: IT News
New Delhi, August 17 2020:
At a recent webinar hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), panelists made several suggestions, including the increase in number of laboratories and introduction of forensic study
in MBBS course.
The panelist cited lack of adequate number of forensic laboratories and manpower leading to delay in administering justice.
They suggested that training of forensic science be given in MBBS course and a post of a district medico-legal expert be created.
Several suggestions emerge during the online discussion.
Some of which were: to bring in uniformity under an SOP for conducting forensic examination, to fill in the vacant posts in forensic science laboratories and to provide them with sufficient infrastructure and funds, Introduction of Forensic study and training in MBBS course, introduction of forensic law studies as a separate course curriculum in integrated BSc (Forensic) LLB, to increase the number of forensic labs in proportion to the number of cases to examine to avoid delay in administering justice, creation of the post of District Medico Legal expert, to introduce professionalism in the photography and videography of post mortem, to make post mortem an important activity for medical professionals with proper orientation to the Doctors about medico-legal procedures and to improve mortuaries with proper equipments to facilitate conduct of post-mortem.
The panelists also suggested introducing forensic law studies as a separate course curriculum in integrated BSc (Forensic) LLB and to bring in greater professionalism in the photography and videography during the process of post-mortem.
Making post-mortem an important activity for medical professionals with proper orientation to the doctors about medico-legal procedures; and improving mortuary setup with proper equipment and environment to facilities conduct of post-mortem, were other suggestions from the participants, he said.
Inaugurating the webinar, the NHRC Member, Justice P C Pant said that forensic examination is important evidence for successful administration of criminal justice.
There is a need for the Judiciary and investigating agencies to be aware of general procedures & principles followed in forensics while collecting & examining the physical evidences from the scene of occurrence.
There is also the need to create awareness among media and public about not disclose sensitive information that can hinder the process of investigation & trial.
Justice Pant said that the NHRC has also been raising the issue of increased pendency in forensic labs due to which cases pile up in trial courts and under trial prisoners languish in jail.
NHRC has issued guidelines from time to time, on conduct of autopsies, medico-legal reports, use of ballistics etc.
There is a change in crime patterns with the surge of cyber-crime, which necessitates filling up of vacant posts urgently in Forensic laboratories, he added.
Secretary General Jaideep Govind, said that the objective of the webinar was to sensitize all the stakeholders about the functioning of the important fields of forensic science, especially in the context of custodial and encounter deaths and cases involving human rights violations.
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