Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray launched three fast-track DNA testing units under the Nirbhaya scheme to test human DNA samples, which will increase the efficiency of criminal investigations.
With the new dedicated facilities available at the disposal, sexual abuse cases involving children and women won't be delayed, officials said.
As forensics has become an integral part of criminal investigation, the police have started sending more samples to Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) for testing. As the number of samples sent, increases, the burden on the FSLs across the state has also subsequently increased, delaying the period for testing. However, the important cases have been given priority over the rest, said officials.
These days many cases rely heavily on the outcome of forensic reports as they have high evidential value during a trial, added the officer.
"In the new fast track DNA units, dedicated manpower has been provided to them so that sex abuse cases involving women and children won't suffer any delay. New and advanced instruments have also been supplied to these newly formed units," said Vijay Thakare, deputy director, FSL Nagpur.
These dedicated facilities have been started at forensic laboratories at Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune, the CM has inaugurated the facilities virtually while the Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil and Energy minister Nitin Raut, who is also guardian minister of Nagpur, joined from Nagpur.
The units and instruments required for the functioning have been procured from the Nirbhaya Fund (around ₹250 crores), received from the centre and the state government.
A wildlife DNA unit was also started at Nagpur on Friday, with its inception the state becomes the only state in the country to have its own DNA testing unit for animals. Before this, all the other states including Maharashtra had to approach central facilities at Hyderabad or Dehradun.
It was a costly affair as well all as time-consuming task as sometimes the report would take years to arrive, said officials. The neighbouring states could also use the state-run facility.
