New forensic lab promises to take over where cops leave

In crime cases,only government agencies are usually entitled to conduct scientific tests like lie-detection,voice or DNA analyses,fingerprints comparison,computer crime analysis and other psychological and forensic tests. Truth Lab,set up through private-public participation,promises to do all that.

The founder-chairman of Truth Lab,Dr Gandhi P C Kaza,said individuals,companies,corporate houses,police and other regulatory agencies like banks,embassies and foreign nationals usually avail its services.

Kaza is also director of the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL).

Kaza said Truth Lab would open in Delhi within a month,with its office at Bhikaji Cama Place.

The first Truth Lab,started in Hyderabad in October 2007,has got over 300 cases,Kaza said. “Even courts are referring cases to us — around 60 cases were referred to us over the past year and half. Cases have even been reopened after our investigations.”

Dr S R Singh,director of Truth Labs,Delhi and NCR,said most cases coming to the lab relate to property and document verification,or to find out whether a person is lying. “It’s for proactive measures like checking details on purchase,matrimonial verification or information related to cheques or other document,” Singh said.

Singh,a former director of CFSL (CBI),said many property buyers approach the lab to verify ownership rights,or whether a property is disputed. “Technology can help us check authenticity of documents,signatures,handwriting,and other aspects,” he said. “Our opinions and reports are valid in the court of law or any legal purpose as per Section 45 of Indian Evidence Act.”

In Truth Lab,documents and other forms of evidence such as DNA,computer-based materials or biological,chemical,physical,metallurgical or human subjective evidence are examined by experts from various fields,Singh said.

Experts include either serving or retired from central or state FSLs,Finger Print Bureaus,Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),Osmania Medical College and other government institutions,Singh said. He claimed that Truth Lab charges less than government laboratories.