Forensic Science Laboratory Faces Overwhelming Demand Amid New Criminal Laws

Rising Workload at Forensic Science Laboratory
Guwahati, July 16: A year after the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Forensic Science Laboratory is experiencing an unprecedented surge in workload. However, the forensic infrastructure in the state is struggling to keep up due to a significant capacity crisis.
This has resulted in the Directorate of Forensic Science, Assam (DFSA) facing a substantial backlog, particularly in areas such as Drugs and Narcotics, Toxicology, Cyber Forensics, and DNA sampling.
Sources from the Home department indicate that DNA sampling exhibits could exceed 5,000 by 2025, marking a record high for the DFSA.
A retired forensic expert revealed that in 2024, the Kahilipara laboratory processed nearly 3,500 DNA exhibits, surpassing the totals from 2022 and 2023, which were around 1,000.
“If this trend continues, we could see numbers exceeding 5,000 by the end of 2025,” he noted, emphasizing that the increase in cases has outstripped the lab's infrastructure and resources, causing significant delays in forensic evidence analysis and reporting.
The Toxicology sector has similarly seen a more than threefold increase in exhibits since the new law's enactment, while infrastructure and staffing levels have remained largely unchanged.
“The situation in Drugs and Narcotics and Cyber Forensics is equally concerning,” he added.
The BNS, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, took effect on July 1, 2024, and mandates forensic investigations for all offenses punishable by seven years or more under Section 176(3).
This legislative change has led to a significant rise in forensic submissions, especially in cases involving rape, molestation, paternity disputes, identification of individuals, toxicology, and cyber crimes.
Another retired director of DFSA mentioned that the laboratory is struggling with limited physical space to accommodate the increasing number of exhibits, whether they pertain to DNA, drugs, toxicology, or cyber crimes.
The current infrastructure, which was designed for a much smaller workload, is now severely overburdened, and much of the laboratory's equipment is outdated, exacerbating the issue.
“Without modern equipment and sufficient space, even standard examinations are taking significantly longer,” he stated.
“While the BNS has rightly emphasized the importance of scientific evidence in the criminal justice system, the lack of corresponding investment in forensic capabilities has created a serious imbalance. The rising number of exhibits, combined with outdated equipment, space constraints, and supply chain challenges, threatens to undermine the very goal of this reform – to ensure swift, evidence-based justice in serious criminal cases,” a senior criminal lawyer remarked.