Himachal CM flags off 6 mobile forensic vans to strengthen crime investigation

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off six state-of-the-art mobile forensic vans here on Tuesday. In the first phase, these vehicles would be deployed at three district forensic units (Baddi, Nurpur, Bilaspur), the State Forensic Lab in Junga, and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratories at Dharamshala and Mandi.

The Chief Minister also released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) handbook “Forensic Evidence Collection, Preservation and Storage,” a set of uniform guidelines for investigating officers and medical professionals, and unveiled specially designed jackets for forensic experts visiting crime scenes on this occasion.

“The advanced vehicles will enable scientific and speedy evidence collection, ensuring preservation and secure storage at the crime scene,” said the Chief Minister. Strengthening forensic investigation through modern technology, he added, will enhance conviction rates and improve the justice delivery system.

Each van, costing Rs 65 lakh, is equipped with cutting-edge forensic tools, including drug and explosive detection systems, fingerprint and footprint development kits, DNA sampling kits, arson detection kits, refrigeration units, portable generators, cyber-forensic software, high-resolution video documentation systems, microscopes, GPS-enabled body-worn cameras, DSLR cameras, CCTV cameras, and other essential apparatus.

These integrated kits will assist investigators in examining a wide range of evidentiary materials such as fingerprints, biological fluids, hair, gunshot and explosive residues, bite marks, questioned documents, tire impressions, footwear prints, narcotics, and other trace evidence. The mobile units are designed to ensure immediate and contamination-free collection, preventing degradation or loss of crucial forensic material.

“This initiative will bring greater transparency to evidence collection and speed up the process of establishing criminal culpability,” said the Chief Minister.

As crime patterns evolve, investigative machinery must also be upgraded. These vans will not only expedite forensic services but also ensure reliable and accurate evidence collection, thereby boosting conviction rates. The Directorate of Forensic Services in Himachal Pradesh currently extends its expertise not only to state investigation agencies but also to central bodies including the CBI, NIA, and ED.