Ahmedabad: The India Justice Report-2025 has raised concerns over the control of the forensic science laboratories. "Across India, the administrative control and capacity of forensic laboratories vary significantly, raising concerns about their efficiency and impartiality. In several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, the state forensic science laboratories function under the direct control of the police. This arrangement risks compromising the independence of forensic analysis," the report mentioned.
The report stated that elsewhere, forensic services work under the home department, ensuring some degree of institutional separation in forensic investigations. The report further stated that out of nearly 10,000 sanctioned posts across states, nearly 50% were vacant. According to the report, as of Jan 2023, in Gujarat, 45.5% of posts of administrative staff and 52.5% of scientific staff were vacant.
"Despite the importance, forensic labs across the country face significant capacity constraints. Many suffer from chronic underfunding, outdated infrastructure, and an acute shortage of skilled personnel. The increasing demand for forensic analysis, coupled with limited resources, has led to case backlogs that delay both investigations and trials," the report mentioned.