Digitisation of Sindh police’s investigation branch completed

KARACHI: Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon chaired a meeting at the Central Police Office in Karachi on Friday and reviewed the digitisation of the investigation department of the Sindh police, introduction of new reforms and the current performance of the department.

Officials said the process of digitisation and transparency has been completed by eliminating complaints of unnecessary delays in the issuance and receipt of a stamped analytical report on forensic research, including police surgeons, medico-legal officers (MLOs), DNA, food, chemical and other forensic investigations by the Sindh police.

The analytical report of medical examinations, crime instruments and evidence is being uploaded immediately by the police surgeons, MLOs and laboratory administration on the digital application developed by the Sindh police within the stipulated period.

In addition, the IT department has digitised and integrated all the police surgeons, medico-legal offices and government laboratories of the province.

The participants of the meeting were given a briefing by the DIG IT on the importance and objectives of digitisation, methods of its use, benefits, reforms and the overall performance of MLOs and laboratories.

The meeting was informed that keeping in mind the concerns over unnecessary delays and lack of transparency in the traditional process of issuing and receiving MLO and forensic reports, thepolice had introduced a digital application called the SAIF Project a month ago, and now through this project, police surgeons of all important government hospitals of the province, MLOs of district and taluka government hospitals, DNA, food, chemical testing and forensic laboratories have been digitised.

After digitisation, all police surgeons, MLOs and laboratory administrations are issuing evidence reports digitally as well as in the traditional way, while with digitisation, police surgeons, MLOs, lab administration and relevant investigation officers will not only be connected with each other but will also be able to communicate with each other.

He said the digitisation process will eliminate unnecessary delays, traditional correspondence of contacts and the fear of tampering with the report. He said that after the digitised release of the report, the recovery of case property and its delivery to the courts are becoming easier and more timely, which will undoubtedly prove to be very helpful and supportive in advancing the cases under hearing in the relevant courts and bringing them to a logical conclusion soon.

IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon said the real success of our department lies in completely digitising/online the investigation department and its entire system, including the appearance of the plaintiff and witness in serious crimes. The FIR, evidence challan and other documentary proceedings in police stations have been digitised and linked online/with the courts, and the investigation department system has also been digitised to a significant extent.

The IGP said linking and digitising police surgeons, MLOs, forensic laboratories and the investigation department is a very important step and a great success of Sindh Police and the full cooperation of the secretary of the Health Department, police surgeons, MLOs and Forensic Laboratory Administration in this regard is commendable. He gave instructions to nominate focal persons for the issuance of digital reports and subsequent recovery of case property. He said it is the responsibility of the Sindh police information technology department to ensure that adequate measures are taken to provide all possible facilities to surgeons, MLOs and laboratory administration.

Secretary Health Department Rehan Baloch said intensive and serious efforts are being made to provide expert and experienced doctors, staff, equipment, infrastructure and other facilities in MLO offices and forensic laboratories, and keeping in mind the current needs, instructions have also been issued for increasing the number of doctors in MLO offices and laboratories, mandatory appointment for at least 2 years in service, training of staff and provision of necessary equipment.

Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho said that every month, details related to the issuance of reports of MLO offices and forensic laboratories should be made mandatory to be sent to the SPs and DIGs of the investigation department.

The meeting was attended by the secretary of the health department, Rehan Baloch, the additional IG Karachi, DIGs of Crime and Investigations, Headquarters, IT, Zonal and Divisional DIGs, Investigations Karachi, SPs of Investigation Department, police surgeons Dr Samia Syed, Dr Kamran Sheikh, Dr Imran, Director Chemical Examinations Laboratory Dr Saleem, PDDNA Lab, University of Karachi Dr Ishtiaq, Forensic Laboratory incharges and MLOs.