Bishnu Rana

Itanagar, Feb 28: The lone Arunachal Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL) in the state, situated at Police Training Centre PTC, Banderdewa is unable to carry out tests, resulting in halting and delaying of  crucial cases.
The APFSL at Banderdewa caters to only analyzing fingerprints, handwriting/currency and carries out Narcotic tests, Ballistic (finger print) hence the state police is forced to send samples especially Biological & DNA related to the Central Forensic Laboratory, Guwahati in case of other detections, thus wasting precious time.
“As forensic opinions are crucial to substantiate cases which most of the time take long; filing of charge sheet equally gets delayed under NDPS Acts related cases. Sometimes it does take 6 months to a year, when the lone female forensic expert (Narcotic) goes on maternity leave," shares a Police officer. 
To ensure that cases do not pile up and affect the investigation process, the officer suggested that a division should have at least two experts to ensure continuity.
As of now, Narcotic, Finger Print, Handwriting & Currency, Ballistic divisions are functional with a single expert, however the most crucial division ‘Biology & DNA’ is yet to be started. Any rape or other biological related cases are being sent to CFL Guwahati causing delay in expediting key cases and becomes expensive as well, discloses sources.   
The State needs to have a full-fledged APFSL, presently it lacks facilities.
So many cases are still pending due to lack of well equipped APFSL though it plays a critical role in investigation of serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault cases and speedy trial is delayed due to late filing of FSL reports. Early and timely catering of FSL tests report would help to curb growing crime rate in the state.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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