Maharashtra to get 6 new DNA testing units to expedite probe in Pocso cases

To speed up the investigations, trials and outcomes of cases involving sexual assault and crimes against minors, the Maharashtra government will soon have dedicated DNA units to analyse the evidence in six regional forensic science laboratories in the state

To speed up the investigations, trials and outcomes of cases involving sexual assault and crimes against minors, the Maharashtra government will soon have dedicated DNA units to analyse the evidence in six regional forensic science laboratories in the state.

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A senior official from the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DSFL) said that these units in the regional forensic science laboratories at Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, would be launched within a month. Those at the Nashik, Aurangabad and Amravati are likely to be operational in August-September after seeking necessary permissions from the state government.

“There is a substantial backlog of cases that are pending DNA testing at our labs. These new genetic analysers will be used only for the cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012. This will enhance DNA extraction, testing and generation of forensic evidence,” the official explained.

Sandeep Bishnoi, director general of police (legal and technical), confirmed the development and said that these specialised units would quicken the criminal jurisprudence process in offences registered under the Pocso Act.

Maharashtra has a state-level forensic science laboratory in Mumbai and seven others across the state (Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Nanded, Kolhapur and Aurangabad). DNA testing facilities are available at Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati and Aurangabad.

At present, the DFSL has around 6,500 cases pending for DNA analysis, of which, around 1,100 pertain to offences registered under the Pocso Act.

Though it takes around three days to analyse a DNA sample, the large number of cases pending for forensic testing ensure that the reports can take up to three or even six months in some instances. However, these new genetic analysers, which will be ring-fenced for testing only those cases related to crimes against minors, will bring down the time taken to just around a month.

The analysers and other equipment are purchased with a fund of ₹53.70 crore, granted by the Central government to the state, to strengthen its forensic infrastructure.

The number of cases sent for DNA testing to the regional forensic science laboratories has risen from 5,113 in 2017, to 6,259 in 2018, 7,540 in 2019, 6,314 in 2020 and 3,823 in July 2021. These include cases of murder, unclaimed dead bodies, dacoity, attempt to murder, sexual assault and paternity. DNA analysis is also used to establish the identity of bodies that have been mutilated in mishaps and disasters.

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- The DNA division generates forensic evidence for the investigation of offences like sexual assault, murder and unclaimed and mutilated dead bodies and to establish paternity.

- However, factors like shortage of staff and a rise in the number of cases sent for analysis have led to the number of pending cases increasing from around 3,300 in 2019 to 5,400 in 2020 and 5,700 in July 2021.

- The cases registered under the Pocso Act that were sent for forensic analysis have grown from 1,914 in 2018 to 1,974 in 2019 and 935 by July this year.

- The offences lodged under the Pocso Act that is pending DNA testing have also risen from about 900 in 2018, to 1,200 in 2019 and stand at 1,100 in July this year.