Shortage of experts hits functioning; Cases piling at Forensic Science Laboratory

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A large number of cases are piling at the Cyber Forensic Division and the Drugs & Narcotics Division at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Kahilipara here. The prime cause is the shortage of experts, said sources. It has been learnt around 400 cases are pending as on date in both the divisions.

Sources told The Sentinel that each division should consist of at least five experts. But things have come to such a pass that while only a 'Junior Scientific Officer' is single-handedly running the Cyber Forensic Division, only two 'Scientific Officers' are there in the Narcotic Drugs Division.

As a result, the pace of investigation has slowed down.

Sources also informed that all the Central investigation agencies like the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau), the Customs, the Central Excise, and the Central Bureau of Narcotics send their samples of drugs and narcotics seized in the region for testing here as the results of this laboratory are dependable. This has also led to the increase in the number of pending cases at the two mentioned divisions of FSL, said sources.

It has been also pointed out that most of the cases from the Northeast region are related to abuse of pharmaceutical drugs that induce drowsiness. These drugs include 'Nitrazepam' and 'Alprazolam', besides cough syrups that contain Codeine. These are in high demand as they cost less than the narcotic drugs, informed the sources.

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