The Central Forensic Science Laboratory, (CBI)                The Central Forensic Science Laboratory, (CBI) New Delhi was established in the Year 1968 as a scientific department to provide scientific support and services to the investigation of crime. The Laboratory is located at Block No.4, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. Besides this, the CFSL has Scientific Aids Unit located at CBI Branch in Chennai. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory, CBI, New Delhi today is one of the most comprehensive Laboratories in the country with 10 fully equipped Divisions namely Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Serology, Ballistics, Documents, Finger Prints, Forensic Psychology, Photo, Computer Forensic Science & Scientific Aids divisions with addition of state-of-the-art laboratories for Computer Forensics and DNA profiling. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CBI), New Delhi is committed to deliver the quality work for all its functional disciplines and is an ISO/IEC 17025 Certified laboratory.

MISSION STATEMENT OF CFSL

To provide assured quality service of international standards as per ISO/IEC 17025 to the customers with good professional practices in order to deduce effective remedial solution of intricacies related to Forensic Investigation of crime of any type and assist in proper dispensation of justice. FACILITIES AVAILABLE The CFSL (CBI), New Delhi has the following divisions which are rendering forensic support services to the various Investigating Agencies in scientific analysis of exhibits and collection/detection of relevant physical clues from scenes of crime. The scientists of the laboratory are put to rigorous trainings in India and abroad in order to upgrade the existing forensic skills and to induct innovative technologies in the field of Forensic Science. Ballistics & Explosives Division                         Biology Division and DNA Profiling Unit Chemistry Division Computer Forensic Division Document Division Finger Print Division Forensic Psychology Division Physics Division Photo & Scientific Aid Division Serology Division and A Scientific Aid Unit of CFSL at Chennai Ballistics & Explosives Division The Division is equipped with requisite technology and expertise to handle cases of firearms and explosives. The work involves examination of firearms to determine the nature and type of weapons used in the crime; range of firing, linking fired bullets/cartridge cases with the suspect weapons and checking of mechanism of the weapon for the evidence of accidental discharge. The analysis of explosives involves the examination and opinion on explosives (Civil, Military and IEDs) and explosive devices used in crime, riots, police firing, encounters etc. re-construction of scene of crime/ explosion etc. laboratory analysis of explosives and their detection. For up-gradation of the working of explosives and explosion residue analysis, this Division is equipped with sophisticated instruments like HPLC System (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Biology Division and DNA Profiling Unit The division is equipped with the state-of-art technologies and expertise to carry out all types of analytical works related to forensic biology. The biological analysis includes detection and establishment of any biological fluids like blood, semen, saliva, urine, sweat and milk. Further, the laboratory has been fabricated to carryout accurate microscopic examinations related to hair, fibre, tissue and botanical exhibits. In addition to the above the DNA Profiling Laboratory is being operated under the supervision of Biology Division. The division reports cases of various natures like murder/homicides, suicides, assaults, unnatural sexual offences, dacoity, robbery, theft, riot and others offences enlisted in Arms Act, Prevention of damage of property Act, etc. Chemistry Division The Division consists of Toxicology, Narcotics and General Chemical Analysis Sections. This division is equipped with high- tech analytical equipments and undertakes Chemical Analysis of exhibits such as viscera, biological fluids, trap cases, dowry death cases, petroleum products, acids and various other miscellaneous exhibits referred by the Investigating Agencies. Viscera including biological fluids are examined for poison detection in cases of homicides and suicides. Research and Development activities to meet the specific needs are also form a part of the programme in bringing up the latest techniques and instrumental methods of analysis. Document Division In the Document division, examination of hand writing, signatures, type scripts, rubber stamp impressions, seal impressions, examination of counterfeit currency notes and lottery tickets, determination of interpolation, substitution, addition, over writings, decipherment of the mechanically and chemically erased writings, decipherment of invisible ink, re-construction of the charred and burnt documents, determination of the order of the sequence of the strokes at the point of intersections, examination of the torned or serrated edges of paper and comparison with their counterparts, determination of the absolute or relative age of the documents, examination of ink, paper and writing implements etc. are carried out. Finger Print Division The Finger Print division examines the questioned thumb impressions, crime scene visits for chance prints, developments of latent prints, preparation of specimen ten digit finger prints of accused. High Power laser beam light sources and portable equipment namely High Intensity Light Source for development of chance prints at the scene of crime was inducted in this division. Forensic Psychology Division In India CFSL, CBI, New Delhi is the first one to establish a full-fledged Lie Detection Division. Since its inception, approximately 10,000 subjects have been conducted to Lie Detection Tests for detection of deception. The Division extends its services not only to the CBI, but also to the Delhi Police and other law enforcement agencies of the country in almost all the cases of national importance. The Forensic Psychology Division equipped with latest version of Computerized (Desktop and Laptop) Polygraph equipments. NHRC guidelines are strictly adhered when conducting the polygraph examinations. The Division carried out Personality Assessments, Criminal Profiling in some of the important CBI Case Investigations. The division has initiated action programme for induction of the state-of-the-art technology for analysis of information present in the brain of the subject and Voice Stress Analysis. Photo & Scientific Aid Division Photography Division provides Videography and General Photography assistance to all divisions of CFSL/CBI in the examination of crime exhibits, coverage of scenes of crime, close-up, conferences & seminars. Experts of the division also provide the expert opinions on questioned photo prints. In addition, transfer of analog video data to digital form is also done with precision. Photo division has latest state-of-art-technology video measurement system to examine the authenticity of video films. Physics Division In Physics division different types of examinations are carried out like examination of paint, glass, soil, fibres, metallic pieces, threads and ropes, cloth pieces, struggle mark and cut marks on cloth, knot examination, examination of metallic seals, postal seals, deciphering of erased chassis and engine number of vehicles, registration plate of vehicles, examination of tool marks, etc. The division is also carrying out the examination of telephonic and direct recording to identify the Speaker. A very advanced version of computerized Voice Spectrograph namely Computerized Speech Lab Model CSL-4500 is being used for analysis of Speaker Identification cases. In addition to these activities, the Physics division often visits the scene of crime and also undertakes the task of reconstruction of scene of crime. The division has undertaken new project work in the field of Noise reduction/signal enhancement and Audio tape Authentication. Serology Division The scientific support provided by the Serology division includes the determination of origin & species of body fluids, tissues, saliva, semen and other body materials. The reported cases consist of murder, causing death due to negligence, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to murder causing hurt, sexual offences (Rape/Sodomy), inquiry into cause of death, and of miscellaneous nature. Computer Forensic Division Computer Forensic Division started functioning since January 2004. Its main objectives are preservation, identification, extraction and documentation of computer evidence in various Computer related crimes forwarded to the laboratory. Computer Forensics involves the use of sophisticated technology, tools and procedures. The accuracy of evidence processing procedures is ensured by using multiple software hardware tools developed by separate and independent developers. Validation through the use of multiple software tools and procedures by the computer experts eliminate the potential problem. Scientific Aid Unit The scientific Aid unit was created at Chennai to provide document related examination and analysis to the local branches of CBI.

                        

  INDIA FACES FORENSICS STAFF CRUNCH

Staff shortage and poor budgeting are proving to be stumbling blocks for the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL) in dealing with numerous cases eventually leading to backlogs and delay in solving crime, officials said. 

The APFSL was established in 1974 by merging the scientific units of the CID of the police department and chemical examiner section of the medical and health department. It is the first and only laboratory in India to establish advanced technology-centric sections like DNA, computer forensics, biomedical and forensic engineering. But years of neglect and lack of new equipment has posed a huge hindrance for the APFSL, officials said. "We are one of the premier institutions in the country which helps the police, judiciary, CBI and many other government bodies in solving cases for more than three decades. But shortage of staff has become a major problem and the meagre budget allocated to us is another big hindrance," said Sharada Avadhanam, deputy director of the forensic science laboratory of theAP Police Academy. 

Elaborating on the need for funding to modernise APFSL so that it can cope with the growing number of cases each year, Avadhanam, who will take over as the director of the laboratory in September next year, said that the institution badly needs more brains.
        
                                                                            -PIYUSH.R,(crimenprejudice team)

Career in Forensic Science and Criminology

Sherlock Homes, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple have fascinated a number of minds for a number of years. Not to forget our very own Karamchand and Byomkesh Bakshi who made investigations ever so fascinating. To add to it, the crime shows on various Indian TV channels have only added to the popularity of investigative sciences like forensics. Forensic science is the application of science to the investigation of a crime. When a crime is committed, there are different types of evidence found at the crime scene. It could include traces of an object, paint, soil, blood, saliva, body fluids, digital evidence, plant material, bones, documents, fingerprints. Forensic science uses physical science such as chemistry, biology, physics to analyse the evidence found at the crime scene and uses that analysis to help the law enforcement to catch the criminal and most importantly, present that evidence in court.

While criminology is the study of crime, a criminologist uses different social sciences such as sociology, psychology, to understand crime and criminal behaviour. Criminology typically includes studying different types of crime, causes behind the crime, occurrence or incidence of crime in various parts, the consequences of the crime as well as society's perception, different rules and punishment and preventive strategies for crime.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

To become a forensic scientist, one needs to first complete a Bachelors' in Forensic or Physical or Biological Science and further pursue MSc (Forensic Science). To become a forensic pathologist, one has to complete an MD in Forensic Medicine after successfully completing his/ her MBBS.

There are graduate as well as postgraduate courses in criminology. One can pursue it either after 10+2 or after having a graduate degree in arts or science. Criminology is also offered as a specialisation at the masters' level in social work.

JOB PROSPECTS

A forensic scientist can work as a crime scene investigator, forensic pathologist, trace evidence analyst, and expert analysts in forensic specialisations. A criminologist can work as an analyst, teacher, reviewer and reformer of law, revising ways of criminal rehabilitation and as researchers working to improve the criminal justice system.

Both these fields offer opportunities in: Government and private forensic labs Private detective agencies government agencies such as CBI, IB, RAW Crime cells of police forces NGOsJuvenile shelters Rehabilitation centres

Crimes have been committed from time immemorial and continue to happen in today's world. With the increasing need for effective measures to stop and prevent crime, forensic science and criminology have become a necessity. This field is constantly evolving with the development of new technology and new ways of investigations.