Forensic science crucial in criminal prosecution: SP

Visakhapatnam: Strong scientific evidence is essential to ensure that criminals are brought to justice, said Vizianagaram district superintendent of police AR Damodar. He was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day training programme for public prosecutors on “The Role of Forensic Science in Criminal Prosecution“, organised at Centurion University of Technology and Management.Addressing the participants, the SP said that while conventional crimes were more prevalent in the past, cyber and digital crimes are increasing rapidly, making the collection of evidence more challenging than ever. “The need of the hour is to ensure that no lapses occur while handling such cases. If police personnel commit mistakes during the collection of evidence or examination of witnesses, public prosecutors should provide timely guidance to help strengthen investigations and improve the quality of prosecution,” said Damodar.Centurion University vice-chancellor Prof. Prasanta Kumar Mohanty said the university could play an important role in creating public awareness about forensic science and its applications. Dean of forensic science Prof. K.V. Ravikumar said that under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the involvement of forensic science experts is mandatory in cases that carry a punishment of seven years’ imprisonment or more.

University registrar Dr P. Pallavi said forensic science has immense value for society and contributes significantly to the criminal justice system. On the occasion, Tigmanshu Patnaik, Dr Nagajogayya, Lakshmikant Sutar and Utpal Tripathy delivered technical sessions on various aspects of forensic science.The SP also explained the importance of preserving evidence through secure online systems to prevent tampering. Announcing a major infrastructure initiative, he said a state forensic science laboratory (SFSL) would soon be established in Visakhapatnam. He added that the government would also be requested to set up another forensic laboratory in either Srikakulam or Vizianagaram to strengthen forensic capabilities in north Andhra Pradesh.