Nagaland will establish a separate Directorate of Forensic Sciences to strengthen scientific investigations and implement new criminal laws effectively
DIMAPUR — Nagaland will establish a separate Directorate of Forensic Sciences to strengthen scientific investigation and meet the requirements of the new criminal laws, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma announced on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after the flagging-off of 561 police vehicles and mobile forensic vans at the Police Complex in Chümoukedima, Sharma said that the state Cabinet has approved the creation of the new directorate, which will function alongside Police department during the transition before becoming an independent entity.
He described the move as a significant shift in policing as the department places greater emphasis on scientific investigation and forensic evidence.
"Traditionally, Nagaland Police has focused more on armed policing, while investigation received comparatively less attention in terms of manpower, equipment and infrastructure," Sharma said. "Over the last three to three-and-a-half years, we have consciously worked towards strengthening investigation and forensic capabilities."
According to Sharma, the induction of 12 mobile forensic vans would significantly improve crime investigation by enabling on-the-spot collection and preservation of evidence. The vans are equipped for preliminary examination of electronic devices, including cloning of mobile phones and laptops, fingerprint development, collection of biological samples and preliminary testing related to narcotics and explosives.
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Additional Director General of Police (Training and Modernisation) Sandeep M Tamgadge said the forensic vans assume greater importance under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which mandates forensic visits to crime scenes in offences punishable with more than seven years' imprisonment.
He added that the department has intensified training through the iGOT Karmayogi platform and specialised programmes conducted in collaboration with agencies such as the National Investigation Agency and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology. Around 50 officers from different units have already undergone preliminary training in scientific evidence collection.
Sharma informed that Police Headquarters has also proposed the recruitment of specialised Scene of Crime Officers, who would secure and document crime scenes and preserve evidence before forensic experts arrive.
On deployment of the forensic vans, he said that they would initially be stationed in areas based on crime patterns and operational requirements to ensure quick access to remote locations. The long-term objective, he added, is to provide at least one mobile forensic van to every district.
Sharma further informed that Police Headquarters has already proposed recruitment to strengthen the State Forensic Science Laboratory through the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Five technical posts have already been advertised, while additional specialised divisions would be created as the forensic system expands.