Govt approves 247 forensic officer posts to improve scientific probe | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: State govt on Wednesday approved 247 new forensic officer posts to strengthen the criminal justice system, aligning with the evidence gathering requirements specified in the recently enacted criminal laws.
“The home department’s order authorises positions for 1 joint director, 2 deputy directors, 20 assistant directors, 65 senior assistant directors, 71 scientific officers, 21 senior forensic attendants and 67 junior forensic attendants within the state forensic science services organisation,” the chief minister’s office )CMO) stated.
According to police officers, the new criminal laws incorporate advanced forensic investigative methods, including digital forensics, data analytics and real-time surveillance. These laws establish forensic evidence as a crucial component in criminal justice administration, aiming to enhance system efficiency and transparency.
Odisha currently operates one state forensic science laboratory (SFSL), three regional forensic science laboratories (RFSLs) in Sambalpur, Berhampur and Balasore, alongside 36 district laboratories. These units currently have about 50% vacancies in scientific officer positions and 45% in assistant scientific officer roles, sources said.
“The new criminal laws increased demands on existing forensic facilities for analysing samples, particularly blood and other body fluids for DNA testing, collected from crime scenes, making these additional positions essential. These new positions will help reduce the pendency of cases and ensure swift delivery of justice,” a senior police officer told TOI.
The facilities, including SFSL, receive over 2 lakh exhibits annually, with nearly half of them remaining unexamined by year-end, sources in Odisha police said. The backlog consequently delays trial proceedings involving forensic evidence due to delayed report submissions.
“Scientific officers are responsible for examining exhibits and clues while preparing reports, with assistance from assistant scientific officers. Under the new laws, forensic experts must collect evidence for offences carrying sentences exceeding seven years. These experts will attend crime scenes following police notification to gather forensic samples for investigation purposes,” the officer said.
According to the CMO, the govt will provide 36 mobile forensic vans (MFVs) equipped with advanced evidence collection tools to Odisha police through the Centre-sponsored forensic capabilities modernisation scheme. The vehicles will be sourced from the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
“Additionally, the govt has approved 267 new positions in the Odisha State Prosecution Service to strengthen the prosecution department. The directorate of prosecution will benefit from experienced legal professionals who will strengthen the state’s ability to successfully prosecute criminal cases,” the officer said.
“The home department’s order authorises positions for 1 joint director, 2 deputy directors, 20 assistant directors, 65 senior assistant directors, 71 scientific officers, 21 senior forensic attendants and 67 junior forensic attendants within the state forensic science services organisation,” the chief minister’s office )CMO) stated.
According to police officers, the new criminal laws incorporate advanced forensic investigative methods, including digital forensics, data analytics and real-time surveillance. These laws establish forensic evidence as a crucial component in criminal justice administration, aiming to enhance system efficiency and transparency.
Odisha currently operates one state forensic science laboratory (SFSL), three regional forensic science laboratories (RFSLs) in Sambalpur, Berhampur and Balasore, alongside 36 district laboratories. These units currently have about 50% vacancies in scientific officer positions and 45% in assistant scientific officer roles, sources said.
“The new criminal laws increased demands on existing forensic facilities for analysing samples, particularly blood and other body fluids for DNA testing, collected from crime scenes, making these additional positions essential. These new positions will help reduce the pendency of cases and ensure swift delivery of justice,” a senior police officer told TOI.
The facilities, including SFSL, receive over 2 lakh exhibits annually, with nearly half of them remaining unexamined by year-end, sources in Odisha police said. The backlog consequently delays trial proceedings involving forensic evidence due to delayed report submissions.
“Scientific officers are responsible for examining exhibits and clues while preparing reports, with assistance from assistant scientific officers. Under the new laws, forensic experts must collect evidence for offences carrying sentences exceeding seven years. These experts will attend crime scenes following police notification to gather forensic samples for investigation purposes,” the officer said.
According to the CMO, the govt will provide 36 mobile forensic vans (MFVs) equipped with advanced evidence collection tools to Odisha police through the Centre-sponsored forensic capabilities modernisation scheme. The vehicles will be sourced from the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
“Additionally, the govt has approved 267 new positions in the Odisha State Prosecution Service to strengthen the prosecution department. The directorate of prosecution will benefit from experienced legal professionals who will strengthen the state’s ability to successfully prosecute criminal cases,” the officer said.
