Forensic experts from Rohini lab went to 2,130 crime spots in July — double that of entire 2023

Situated in Madhuban Chowk, FSL Rohini is tasked with gathering evidence from various crime scenes spread across 15 districts in Delhi. It has a strength of 390, including 63 forensic experts who collect evidence from around 80 crime scenes daily.

Official data shows that even before the new laws kicked in, the FSL team had increased its site visits. Between January and June 2024, the team visited 12,760 crime spots – twice the number it visited in 18 years combined. From its inception in 2005 till 2023, the FSL team visited 6,352 crime scenes in total – with just six in 2005 and 1,144 in 2023.

“The real surge in crime spot visits came in January 2024 itself,” said forensic science expert Rajnish Kumar.

He told The Indian Express that the FSL team had already started visiting crime spots where offences punishable with seven years of imprisonment or more were allegedly committed, six months before the implementation of the new laws. “We had begun a pilot project in coordination with the Delhi Police at the start of the year,” he added.

“We’re also holding frequent meetings with the Delhi Police for better coordination at the crime scene,” Division Head of Crime Scene Management at FSL Rohini, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, told The Indian Express.

Another section of the BNSS has also increased the workload of forensic experts. Section 349 of the BNSS expands the power of magistrates to order the collection of forensic samples from individuals in two ways.

One, the ambit of the types of samples that may be collected has been widened — from signatures and handwriting, now fingerprints and voice samples can be collected as well. Two, the ambit of the persons from whom evidence is to be gathered has also expanded. Earlier, samples could be collected only from those persons who were arrested in connection with the investigation. Now, a magistrate can order a sample collection of any person given that the reasons for such collection are provided in writing.

To increase its workforce, the FSL recently advertised 163 posts for junior scientific assistants. This is expected to tackle the problem of staff shortage immediately as these assistants will be visiting crime scenes. In January 2024, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena also approved the restructuring of the FSL, which led to the creation of 420 new posts at the facility.

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta also said the FSL team was providing videography training to police personnel. After the implementation of the new criminal laws, police officers have to compulsorily videograph and photograph crime scenes.

The team was also holding awareness campaigns about the new laws at the district level, Rajnish Kumar said. He also said that workshops comprising lectures on the new laws were being conducted inside the lab.