War on drugs in Assam increases forensic workload

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As a direct consequence of the Assam Police's string of successes in the war against drugs, the workload of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Kahilipara here has increased significantly.

Last year, the FSL received 2,883 cases (samples) of drugs and narcotics for testing from the police. Out of these, FSL has submitted test reports of 2,847 cases and only 36 cases remain pending. The pending cases are all very recent ones from the period between December 6, 2021 and December 31, 2021.

It is worthy of mention that FSL, Kahilipara also receives many cases from Central agencies such as Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Excise and the police of neighbouring States like Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. The Directorate of Forensic Science receives revenue for tests done on behalf of police and other forces other than the Assam Police.

There are 12 divisions of the FSL under the Directorate of Forensic Science which received a total of 5,079 cases in 2021. Out of these, reports have been submitted in 4,864 cases and 215 cases remain pending.

The Toxicology division received 870 cases in 2021, out of reports have been submitted in 825 cases, with 45 cases remaining pending. The pending cases are from the period between December 14, 2021 and December 31, 2021.

The Chemistry division received 129 cases last year and has submitted all the relevant reports.

The Physics division received 57 cases last year and has submitted 56 reports, with one report remaining pending.

The Ballastics division received 107 cases last year and has submitted all the relevant reports.

The Explosives division received 35 cases last year and has submitted all the relevant reports.

The Questioned Documents division received 237 cases last year and has submitted 229 reports, with eight pending cases which were received in the month of December.

The Biology division received 76 cases last year and has submitted 75 reports, with one pending case.

The Serology division received 208 cases last year and has submitted 196 reports, with 12 remaining pending. Of the pending cases, two were received in September, three in November and seven in December.

The DNA division received 223 cases last year and has submitted 207 reports, with 16 cases remaining pending. Of the pending case, five cases are for preservation.

The Photography division received 98 cases last year and has submitted all the relevant reports.

The Cyber Forensics division received 156 cases last and has submitted only 60 reports, with 96 cases remaining pending.

According to sources, it is desirable for all investigating officers to have knowledge of forensic science because otherwise faulty collection of forensic evidence frequently complicates the job of the forensic scientists.

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