‘Forensic science backbone of criminal justice system’

Islamabad: National Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) with the collaboration of six ministries including Interior, Finance, Information Technology, Planning and Development, Industries and Production, and Science and Technology and other 29 stockholders, 14 scientific and academic institutions and 6 international organisations launched a two-day National Forensic Science Conference.

The conference themed ‘Science for Justice’ was inaugurated by former Director General of Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) Saiyed Mohib Asad. The event is attended by national and international speakers, former IGPs, police officials, IG Islamabad, scientists, researchers and intellectual.

Speaking on this occasion, Former DG FIA Saiyed Mohib Asad said the conference would highlight the importance of forensic science in fighting crimes and laid the importance on making labs at all levels to facilitate the law enforcement agencies across Pakistan.

The President of Association of Former Inspector General of Police (AFIGPs) said that forensic science is backbone of criminal justice system and would be essential part of it in future. NFSA DG Dr. Ashraf zahir, said that in coming years, they would witness more advancement in the field of forensics which would provide more timely and speedy justice.

National Police Bureau (NPB) Director General Shaukat Hayat while addressing to the preliminary session said the criminal justice system in Pakistan is becoming rapidly and rightfully dependent on the exploration of evidence through forensic science. Forensic is the most accurate and undeniable tool of investigation in today’s world. The project Director of NFSA Saqib Sultan said the conference would provide facilitation and opportunity for networking, collaboration and exchange of ideas with local and international renowned leaders in forensic science presented here in the conference.

The Inspector General of Police Islamabad Sultan Azam Taimuri visited the stalls and inspected the devices exhibited there. He showed his keen interest for the use of forensic science in criminal justice system.

The conference concluded that reliance on forensic evidence is the most accurate means to justice. All pillars of Criminal Justice System should evolve a culture of reliance on forensic evidence. Each institution should create internal accountability mechanisms to ensure the proper collection, recording, analysis, assessment and admissibility of forensic evidence.

The participants demanded that Forensic Science Graduate and Post Graduate Degrees should be introduced in all public sector universities and should be encouraged in private sector. More scholarships and educational incentives should be offered for potential forensic scientists. Basic Crime Scene education should be included at school level.

It was resolved that development of basic and specialized forensic facilities at all levels across the country is the need of the hour. Basic Forensic Science laboratories should be established at district level. Specialised agencies should have their own specialized forensic labs. National and provincial forensic science agencies should support them with technical and training assistance.

It was also demanded that National Forensic Databases should be created. National Forensic and Criminal Database Registration Authority responsible for creating, collecting, recording registering, analyzing and operating fingerprints, DNA, ballistics and explosives data, should be formed under the Ministry of interior.

The conference unanimously resolved that forensic agencies and relevant ministries should take measures to enact forensic legislation. Forensic scientists must be covered under the law. A ’reference manual on forensic evidence’, comprising of standard practices and procedures related to scientific evidence, detailing and defining every aspect of scientific evidence from the collection of evidence to its admission and assessment in the court of law, needs to be developed, written and authenticated under rules and law by the respective governments. It shall be a legal document binding on federal and provincial establishments of criminal justice.

Public needs to be educated in the aspects of Crime Scene investigation. Delivery of justice largely depends on the integrity of crime scene. All forensic agencies, with the support of their ministries, public and private organizations should initiate a forensic awareness media campaign to educate the masses in the basic aspects of Crime Scene investigation to enable them to maintain the integrity of crime scene

To represent the forensic scientists working in Pakistan, an association of forensic scientists, under the umbrella of the Ministry of interior, needs to be formed. The association shall be knowledge and skills sharing forum which will motivate and lead the forensics related reforms in Pakistan. The office bearers of the forum should be elected after every three years.