Paper Title-Introduction to Forensic Science

Basic set up of State Forensic Science Introduction to Forensic Prof. Devasish

Laboratory in India Science Bose

Basic set up of State Forensic Science Laboratory in India

Prof. Devasish Bose
Head
Department of Criminology and Forensic Science,
Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar (M.P.)

Check List

Modules FAQS LOR Objectives Summary Quiz Assignments Reference Glossary Links
         
Full academic script (around 3000 words)

Module 1: Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory

Module 2: Division of Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 3: Explanation different gazette officer ranks of State forensic science
laboratory
Module 4: Function of State Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 5: Limitations of State Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 6: Conclusion

EXPERT: Prof. Devasish Bose Professor & Head, Department of Criminology & Forensic
Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, (M.P.).
Assisted by: Mr. Girraj Sharma, PhD Scholar, UGC-SRF, Department of Criminology and
Forensic Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, (M.P.).

Let’s start our today’s discussion while taking a look what we are going to learn today

Module 1: Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory

Module 2: Division of Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 3: Explanation different gazette officer ranks of State forensic science
laboratory
Module 4: Function of State Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 5: Limitations of State Forensic Science Laboratory
Module 6: Conclusion

Module1. Introduction to forensic science laboratory- Dear students, now, we will talk
about the forensic science laboratory. As we know that forensic science laboratory is the
center of attraction for the students perusing there study in the field of Forensic Science
where the physical evidence from criminal cases are admitted for the examination and
analysis by scientific principles and methods or in other word, we can say this is the only
multi-disciplinary laboratory where it provide scientific support and services to the
investigation of crime and to reveal the truth that are been hidden in form of physical
evidence and forensic science laboratories answer the queries of the Court of Law. Basically,
investigating officer recognize, collect and preserve the physical evidence from the crime
scene and then send them to the forensic science laboratory along with the list of the
questionnaire. Following them, the forensic scientist will use the most reliable and all
possible scientific methods by which they can get the answer. In India, forensic science
laboratories function under the supervision of central government as well as state
government. State forensic science laboratories work under the supervision of the state
government. Whereas all, central forensic science laboratories work under the supervision of
central government. Today, most of the states in India have full-fledged forensic science
laboratories and some of them have also established regional and district forensic science
laboratories.

Now, we are going to move towards another beautiful module division of forensic science
laboratory.

Module 2 Division or Section Forensic Science Laboratory- Dear students, now, we will
discuss the different section/division of forensic science laboratory. As we know that forensic
science laboratory has different section that make full-fledged laboratory. So, let’s start with
various sections /division of the forensic science laboratory-

1. Forensic Biology and Serology Division- As we have studied in the previous class
biology is the branch of the science dealing with the study of the living organism. But,
in forensic science it deals with the examination of biological materials encountered
in crimes against persons or property. Thus, in as single line, we can say forensic
biology is the branch of the forensic science that deals with the application of biology
to the Court of Law. Now, we are going to talk about the biological evidence.
 Biological Evidence-
A. Blood- as we know that blood as an evidence is one of the most common types of
biological evidence obtains at the crime scene. Here, we will have brief
discussion about the blood. Blood is made up of two parts one is cellular and
other one is plasma part. The cellular part of the blood consists of erythrocytes,
leucocytes and platelets. Plasma part of the blood contains organic and inorganic
materials. At the crime scene blood could be present in the two form- wet blood
and dry blood. Collection, preservation, handling and transportation of the exhibit
to the forensic science laboratory lead the good result. Following method should
be used at the crime scene if the blood is in wet condition like swab and FTA
paper and if blood is in dry form we could use swab, cutting, scraping, collect
entire item and lifting methods for the collection. Dear students, after examining
the blood, forensic scientist can opines- is it blood or not? Confirmatory
examination of the blood, species identification from the blood and
individualization from the blood whether is it A blood group, B blood group , AB
blood group and O blood group. So, this is the function of the serology unit of
forensic science laboratory.
B. Hair- Hairs, including head and pubic hairs, frequently constitute biological
evidence found at crime scenes and their identification can be of great forensic
importance. Formerly, the principal methods employed in forensic hair analysis
were limited to morphological analysis and comparisons.
C. Fibers- to find the origin, individualization and comparison and matching.
D. Diatoms- to confirm ante-mortem drowning or post-mortem drowning.
E. Skeleton, skull and bone- to confirm the sex, race, origin, stature and species.
F. Insects, flies and maggots- to determine the time since death and place of death.
G. Plant material (Leaves, wood, seeds, Fruits, flowers and pollen grains.)- To
determine origin, species and comparison with controls/standards.
H. Biological fluid (semen, saliva, urine etc.) to determine the species, origin and
individualization.
2. Forensic Physics Division- Physics division of the forensic science laboratory deals
with the following type of examinations are carried out like glass, soil, tool marks,
paint, metallic pieces, threads and ropes, clothes pieces, struggle and cut mark on
clothes, knot examination and examination of metallic seals etc.
3. Forensic Chemistry Division- It deals with following examination-
 Qualitative and quantitative examination of alcoholic beverages to determine
qualitative and quantitative composition of chemical powders, dyes, organic and
inorganic substances. Moreover, it also examines the presence of inflammable fluids
in burnt residues of arson and fire cases. As we know that adulteration is a common
problem now days in food, edible oils, petroleum products, cements, spices and juices
etc. to identify the its presence, purity and genuineness etc. In addition to this trap
cases and acid attacks.
4. Forensic Toxicology Division- It deals with the presence of poison in human and
animal viscera. Moreover, examination of blood, saliva, urine vomit, hair, skin,
stomach wash, food, tablet powders, syrups, needles and other substances the was
found at the scene of crime.
5. DNA Fingerprinting- it deals with the cases of disputed paternity, identification,
mass disaster cases etc. it can handle different type of exhibit foe the examination of
the DNA such as blood, saliva, urine, bone hair etc.
6. Forensic Ballistics Division- It involves examination of firearms to determine the
nature and type of weapons used in the crime; range of firing, linking fired
bullets/cartridge cases with the suspect weapons, pallets, wads, burnt and unburnt
powder grains and checking of mechanism of the weapon for the evidence of
accidental discharge. To ascertain their caliber, make, model, type and to a establish
link to the fire arms and crime.
7. Forensic Explosive Division:-The analysis of explosives involves the examination
and opinion on explosives (Civil, Military and IEDs) and explosive devices used in
crime, riots, police firing, encounters etc. re-construction of scene of crime/explosion
etc. laboratory analysis of explosives and their detection.
8. Voice Analysis Division: The division examination of telephonic and direct recording
to identify the Speaker. A very advanced version of computerized Voice Spectrograph
namely Computerized Speech Lab Model CSL-4500 is being used for analysis of
Speaker Identification cases.
9. Training Cell– Forensic Science Laboratory has training cell that arrange different
type of programmes to the officers and other officials-
1. Arranges training programmes for new candidates to the scientific cadre and acquaint
them with the working of Forensic Science Laboratory.
2. Conducts selection and training of M.P. Police team for All India Police Duty Meet.
 3. Co-ordinates with Police Academy for conducting training of police personnel in
Forensic Science.
4. Also arranges special lectures to Judicial Officers, Students of Criminology and
Forensic Science and Officers of other Govt. Departments

10. List of the modern equipment in the laboratory-

1. High Performance Liquid Chromatography
2. High performance Thin Layer Chromatography
3. Head Space Gas Chromatography
4. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
5. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer
6. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
7. U.V. Spectrometer
8. Comparison Microscope
9. Fluorescence Microscope

Dear students, in this module, we have discussed lot of things about the forensic science
laboratory like division of the forensic science laboratory. Here, I would like clear one thing
that is these divisions of the laboratory can change one laboratory to other one. They will
have basic departments such as physics, biology and chemistry but they might have special
department like polygraph test, voice analysis etc.

So, now, we are going to move towards another fantastic and marvelous module that is
explanation different gazette officer ranks of state forensic science laboratory.

Module 3- Explanation different gazette officer ranks of state forensic science

laboratory-

Director

Senior Joint Director

Administration Physics Chemistry Biology

Sr. J. Director
Office Staff
J.D. J.D. Physics J.D. J.D. J.D. J.D. Biology
Ballistics Toxicology Chemistry Serology

SSO SSO SSO SSO SSO SSO

SO SO SO SO SO SO

S. Staff S. Staff S. Staff S. Staff S. Staff S. Staff

(Source- http://www.mppolice.gov.in/Static/Fslsagar.aspx)

S. Staff

Lab Technician Lab Assistant Lab Attendant

(Source- http://www.mppolice.gov.in/Static/Fslsagar.aspx)

Dear students, for the sake of convenience, we have created the chart of forensic science
laboratory organization according to their rank of the officers. So, now, we will study them
one by one-

1. Director- Director of the forensic science laboratory works under the supervision of
the Police or Ministry of Home Affairs. Moreover, director is the chief officer of the
forensic science laboratory under his or her supervision whole forensic science
laboratory works.
 2. Senior Joint Director- Senior joint director helps to the director or he takes charge
when director is out of town or under other conditions.
3. Joint Director- Joint director is the head of the regional forensic science laboratory as
well as the division of the particular forensic science laboratory such as biology,
chemistry, or physics etc. The number posts of the joint director can vary from one
laboratory to another laboratory.
4. Senior Scientific Officer (SSO) - SSO deal with exhibit and create the forensic report
that will help in the criminal investigation. Moreover, whenever the Court of Law has
doubt as an expert senior scientific officer can give his or her report to Court of Law.
5. Scientific Officer- scientific officer also examine the physical evidence but they can
have more and more cases in comparison to senior scientific officer. Dear students,
there is no more difference between their working procedure.
Now, we are going to move another beautiful module that is Functions of state
forensic science laboratory. So, let’s start-

Module 4: Functions of state forensic science laboratory- In this lecture, we shall study
about the functions of the forensic science laboratory. As we have discussed in the previous
module forensic science laboratory is a multi-disciplinary laboratory established to provide
scientific support and services to the investigation of crime. Forensic science laboratory does
lot of function apart from the scientific examination. Basically, it also serves at crime scene
in the form forensic mobile unit. In addition this, forensic scientist also collects, preserves
and transport the physical evidence from crime scene to forensic science laboratory. As we
know that forensic science starts its work after the commitance of the crime, whatever the
evidence they get at the crime scene they just give a good treatment to them according their
nature. Now, it’s time to read different function of the crime scene.

Functions of Forensic Science Laboratory-

1. Investigating officer collect and preserve the exhibit from the crime scene then the box
with articles are sent by Supdts. of Police of the Districts or equivalent designated officers
of other branches of Police with the written requisition for examination and with attached
questionnaire list regarding the exhibit which is entered in the same order. However
important cases on special requests are given as priority. The reports of examined cases
are sent to the related police station. At the time of trial in courts, the related examiner of
the case visits the concerning court on summons for presentation of his report.
2. A fee per case is charged, for the cases referred by other than Police Departments, which
is likely to be enhanced.
3. "Species identification and blood grouping." of blood, semen, saliva etc. is carried out in
the Forensic Science Laboratory.
4. The Director, FSL on requisition from appropriate authority makes available the services
of special experts of concerning division of FSL to visit the scenes of crime.
5. The Director, FSL, submits monthly & annual administrative reports of the laboratories to
A.D.G., C.I.D., and P.H.Q of the state.
6. The SFSL can have the following divisions which are rendering forensic support services
to the various Investigating Agencies in scientific analysis of exhibits and
collection/detection of relevant physical clues from scenes of crime. Ballistics Division,
Biology and Serology Division, Chemistry-Excise & Narcotics and Explosive Division,
DNA Profiling Unit, Physics Division, Toxicology and Voice Analysis Division.

(Source- http://www.mppolice.gov.in/Static/Fslsagar.aspx)

Having finished this lecture, we will move for another module that is Limitations of state
forensic science laboratory. I hope you have enjoyed this lecture. So, let’s go……….

Module 5: Limitations of state forensic science laboratory- dear students, now we will be
discussing about the limitations of the state forensic science laboratory. As we know that
forensic science laboratory has also its limitations like the result of the exhibit is dependent
on the collection and preservation of the physical evidence if investigating officer will do
well at their part definitely they will have good results. Moreover, sometimes they have
limitations in terms of instrumental techniques because at the crime scene sometimes forensic
scientists get exhibit in very small quantity so available techniques cannot be appropriate for
the analysis. Therefore, this is also the limitation of the forensic science laboratory.
Moreover, all the state forensic science laboratories are not connected to each other by the
internet it means they are not fully digitalized. Due to this problem, laboratories don’t have
quick data access to each other. In addition to this, state forensic science laboratories don’t
have such facility by which they can directly connect with the crime scene. It means
investigating officer directly cannot show the crime scene to the forensic scientist and they
cannot give their opinion regarding the physical evidence as well as the scene of crime. So,
these all are the limitations of the state forensic science laboratories.
After having this lecture, we are going towards the conclusion. So, let’s start next module that
is conclusion.

Module 6: Conclusion- Dear students, i hope you will have enjoyed this informative lecture.
Forensic science laboratory is a multi-disciplinary laboratory established to provide scientific
support and services for the investigation of crime. These FSLs are under the administrative
control of either respected Home Department or Police. As per charter of duties; DFSS;
provides technical support to these FSLs. Apart from State FSLs most of the states have
District and Mobile FSLs to Cater their Forensic needs. Moreover, in this whole lecture, we
have discussed what is forensic science laboratory, how they work in the country. We also
talked about the organizational set of forensic science laboratory. In addition to this, we also
explained the function and limitations forensic science laboratories. So, it was all about the
state forensic science laboratory. So, keep enjoying and have good day bye………..
See in the next lecture.

II.LOR Questions:

1. What do you mean by Forensic Science Laboratory?

Ans: Forensic science laboratory is a multi-disciplinary laboratory established to provide

scientific support and services for the investigation of crime.

2. What are the function of senior scientific officer?

Ans: Senior Scientific Officer- SSO deal with exhibit and create the forensic report that will
help in the criminal investigation. Moreover, whenever the Court of Law has doubt as an
expert senior scientific officer can give his or her report to Court of Law.

3. CFSL stands for-

Ans: Central Forensic Science Laboratory

4. Explain the function of the director.

Ans: Director- Director of the forensic science laboratory works under the supervision of the
Police or Ministry of Home Affairs. Moreover, director is the chief officer of the forensic
science laboratory under his or her supervision whole forensic science laboratory works.

5. Write down the one limitations of state forensic science laboratory.

Ans. Its limitations is the result of the exhibit is dependent on the collection and preservation
of the physical evidence

With all these information here we come to the end of today's lecture. Do keep in mind what
we discussed today. I’ll be back with one more lecture in this series .If you want to learn
more and enhance your knowledge you may log on to our web site www.cec.nic.in. For
MCQ, Quizzes, LORs etc.
Thank you for your time today. I will see you in the next lecture. Have a great day.

III. Objectives of this e-script- following are the objectives of this script

1. To make the students aware about basics of the state forensic science laboratory.
2. To give knowledge about different sections of state forensic science laboratory.
3. How the different branches of FSL are working.
4. To give knowledge about the examinations carried out at forensic science
laboratories.
5. The hierarchical order of different state FSL personnel’s.
6. Duties of the officers present in state FSL.
7.
IV. Summary- this module, comprises of lot of things about the forensic science laboratory
like division of the forensic science laboratory. Where the examination biological, chemical,
fingerprints, questioned documents are carried out. It provide scientific basis for examination
of physical evidence present at scene of crime. Here, we have also discussed about the
concerning officers present at forensic science laboratory, and work functions according to
their designation.

V. FAQs-

1. What do you mean by the voice analysis division?

Ans: Voice Analysis Division: The division examination of telephonic and direct recording
to identify the Speaker. A very advanced version of computerized Voice Spectrograph
namely Computerized Speech Lab Model CSL-4500 is being used for analysis of Speaker
Identification cases.

2. Explain Forensic Explosive Division.

Ans: Forensic Explosive Division:-The analysis of explosives involves the examination and
opinion on explosives (Civil, Military and IEDs) and explosive devices used in crime, riots,
police firing, encounters etc. re-construction of scene of crime/ explosion etc. laboratory
analysis of explosives and their detection.

3. How will you define DNA Fingerprinting Division of FSL?

Ans: DNA Fingerprinting- it deals with the cases of disputed paternity, identification, mass
disaster cases etc. it can handle different type of exhibit foe the examination of the DNA such
as blood, saliva, urine, bone hair etc.

4. Explain one function of forensic science laboratory.

Ans: Investigating officer collect and preserve the exhibit from the crime scene then the box
with articles are sent by Supdts. of Police of the Districts or equivalent designated officers of
other branches of Police with the written requisition for examination and with attached
questionnaire list regarding the exhibit which is entered in the same order. However
important cases on special requests are given as priority. The reports of examined cases are
sent to the related police station. At the time of trial in courts, the related examiner of the case
visits the concerning court on summons for presentation of his report.

5. Which are the modern instrument present in FSL.

Ans. Modern equipment’s present in the laboratory-

1. High Performance Liquid Chromatography

2. High performance Thin Layer Chromatography
3. Head Space Gas Chromatography
4. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
5. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer
6. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
7. U.V. Spectrometer
8. Comparison Microscope
9. Fluorescence Microscope

VI. QUIZ-
 1. Full form of SFSL is
a. Security Forensic Science Laboratory
b. State Forensic Science Laboratory
c. State Foreign Science Laboratory
d. Standard Forensic Science Laboratory
Ans. b
2. SSO is
a. Supreme Scientific Officer.
b. Scientific Senior Officer.
c. Senior Scientific Officer
d. None of them
Ans. c
3. Which does not comes under the category of modern instruments.
a. Hand lance.
b. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer.
c. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer.
d. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.

Ans. a.

4. Voice Spectrograph currently used for analysis of Speaker Identification cases.

a. Computerized Speech Lab Model CSL-4500.
b. Computerized Secure Lab Model CSL-4500.
c. Computerized VSC Lab Model CSL-4500.
d. All of them

Ans. a

5. Who is the apex person of SFSL

a. SSO
b. Director
c. Joint Director
d. JSO

Ans. b.

6. Who is head of the regional forensic science laboratory-

 a. Superintendent of Police
b. Director
c. Joint Director
d. SSO

Ans. c.

7. HSGC stands for-

a. Head Space Gas Chromatography.
b. High Space Gas Chromatography.
c. Head Space Gas Chromatograph.
d. Head Space Gasoline Chromatography.

Ans. a.

8. In which branch/division of FSL blood grouping done

a. Forensic Chemistry.
b. Forensic DNA
c. Forensic Physics
d. Forensic Biology & Serology

Ans. d.

VII. ASSINGMENTS

1. Prepare report on the work of SSO of SFSL.

2. Write down the hierarchal order of officers working in SFSL.
3. Which division of FSL is working for the chemical examination of physical
evidence?
4. Which types of examinations are most commonly carried out in physics
division of SFSL?
5. What are the duties of senior scientific officer?

VIII. References –

1. James S. H. (2014). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative

Techniques. New York, Taylor & Francis.
2. Jay A S, Kathy M, Forensic Science: The Basics, Third Edition - CRC Press Book.
 3. Saferstein R. (1995). Criminalistics – An Introduction to Forensic Science. USA,
Prentice Hall Inc.
4. Sharma B.R., Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials (With
Supplement).
5. Sharma J. D. (2011). Apradhon ka Vigyanik Anveshan. India, Madhya Pradesh Hindi
Granth Academy.

IX. Glossary

1. Physical evidence-- Any article that have a tendency to to prove or disprove any
crime.
2. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)- it is a double helical chain of nucleotides and
fundamental substance of which genes are composed.
3. Explosives- this are the chemical compounds that causes shock and break down with
the sudden release of large amounts of energy.
4. Hair- An appendage of the skin contain keratin protein and grows out from hair
follicle.
5. Blood- It is a connective tissue that carry oxygen into body and take out carbon
dioxide.
6. Saliva- Oral secretion of secretary glands. It contain water, mucus, proteins, salts, and
enzymes.
7. Forensic toxicology- the study of drugs and poisons.
8. Diatoms- Microscopic algae found in lake and river water. Most commonly used to
reveal the anti or postmortem drowning.
9. Alcohol- An organic compound having a hydroxyl (-OH) group.
10. Dyes- natural or chemical compounds that impart color to textiles. They are
incorporated into the fiber by chemical reaction, absorption, or dispersion.