Provincial forensic lab to cost over Rs2 billion
PESHAWAR: The provincial government will establish a forensic science laboratory to help police obtain scientific evidence and conclude investigations on scientific lines as part of its collaboration with United Nations Development Programme.
“It will cost Rs2.5billion. The PC-1 has been under-discussion for approval at the home and tribal affairs department to have a provincial laboratory. It is aimed at producing evidence-based police reports in court so that law can take its course and the victim or innocent don’t suffer,” Ahmed Mustafa, coordinator of UNDP’s project under the Rule of Law Programme (SRL), told Dawn.
He said that it would also have a DNA laboratory with advanced technologies besides latest disciplines in forensic sciences required to come with definite evidences in the courts for prompt justice.
Mr Mustafa said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police sent samples to Lahore and Islamabad for analysis that consumed more time. The provincial laboratory, to be established over 40-kanal, would have DNA bank to track down suspects related to crimes, he said.
The facility will help police to investigate cases on scientific lines
He said that the laboratory would help police to retrieve deleted data from the mobile phones and cameras. It didn’t consume any time and experts could give reports in shortest possible time, he said. “In cases of explosions and terror attacks, we can identify the matters and its origin,” he added.
The first FSL was established in Peshawar in 1976 but most of its technical staff retired or close to retiring due to which it was decided to set up three regional laboratories to fast-track police investigations at local level. So far, Peshawar receives all cases from the province’s police stations.
The second FSL in Malakand started partial operations in May with the help of 19 science graduates, selected from police department after getting training for six months in Punjab. It was part of the programme to facilitate police department in getting solid evidence and ensure justice through forensic sciences, he said.
Mr Mustafa said that it was a branch of Peshawar FSL to strengthen rule of law in militancy-hit areas with the financial assistance of international donors and countries to restore public’s confidence in justice system. Staff has been trained by experts from manufacturers of the equipments.
He said that five new posts of deputy directors, who would work as forensic supervisors, were created to head as many sections there. Currently, finger prints, firearms, documents and vehicle examination sections are working. Full-scale operation, including narcotics and chemical sections, will be started by November.
Presently, complicated cases are being sent to Peshawar.
Mr Mustafa said that UNDP had hired experts in physic and chemistry, etc, on temporary basis to setup FSL. They would be replaced by permanent staff after new appointments, he added.
He said that British High Commission, European Union and DIFD etc had supported the initiative. An amount of Rs250 million had been spent on FSL, which would receive cases in seven districts of Malaknd.
The SRL also seeks to establish 38 model police stations, rebuild bomb-hit police stations, set up training schools and facilitate lawyers to have offices and help investigators in getting concrete evidence that are not rebuttable in the court.
“A person confesses before police to avoid torture but retracts his confession before the court whereas nobody can deny scientific report, which always remains the same,” said experts. They said that courts directed police on several occasions to improve quality of investigations.
