Legislation sought for forensics databank

Punjab Forensic Science Agency has started work on legislation to create a databank of the DNA, fingerprints and weapons of criminals in the province.

A summary has been prepared and work started on the project.

In the past, steps were taken to carry out legislation to gather the DNA and fingerprint data in Punjab, but the plan could not be implemented due to opposition from some government departments. However, the present government has reportedly given its approval and the legislation is likely soon.

Punjab Forensic Science Agency Director General Dr Tahir Ashraf told The Express Tribune that he had requested Law Minister Raja Basharat to initiate legislation for compiling the DNA data. A summary had also been submitted in this regard, he added, expressing hope that the collection of DNA data of criminals would be started during the current year.

Laws will be enacted for collection of samples from convicts and accused of rape and murder to help identify those involved in crimes in future. The forensic lab has been collecting the record of the accused since the agency was set up and so far the data of about 28,000 criminals has been collected.

After the proposed legislation, more data will be collected from the jails and profiles of the criminals will be created.

The data of convicts and accused is being collected for the DNA profiling with full name, address, photograph and fingerprints. The data will be stored through satellite links and accessed by the police for early arrest of suspects.

The official said the databank had also helped in solving the Lahore-Sialkot motorway rape case. From the evidence found at the scene, the forensic team ascertained that two accused were involved in the case. Within 12 hours, the forensic lab provided the details of prime suspect Abid Malhi to the police and the co-accused Shafqat was also identified with the help of the evidence.

The lab had also helped solve the Kasur and Chunian rape cases.

The DG of the agency said that when he was in the United States in the past, he had worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to compile data of about two million criminals. He said DNA data had been compiled in 90 countries, while the forensic lab in Pakistan had also been working in this regard, which had also helped in solving several important cases.

Sources said the collection of fingerprint record was opposed by some officials of the Punjab Information Technology Board in the past, but now the government had started work on it.

The fingerprints from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) are also helpful but the forensic lab is working to keep the record of handprints of criminals to help arrest them in future. The software required for the purpose has been imported and will now be installed.

According to Dr Ashraf, it is very important for any forensic lab to have DNA, firearm and fingerprint data. He said 390 cases have been solved by the forensic lab with the help of firearm record of four years. Information about the weapon used in a crime is also kept in the record. All provinces can benefit from the data being compiled. He said the government of Balochistan had benefited a lot, while other provinces were also being assisted in forensics.

In addition, the Punjab Forensic Lab detects the weapon from any part of a bullet found after a crime through 3D analysis. This capability has also helped solve important cases.

However, the Punjab Forensic Science Agency is facing shortage of funds despite and increasing workload, the sources added.

The DG said the laboratories’ services were provided in Punjab free of charge, but a reasonable fee was charged from other provinces in some cases. He said a Food and Agriculture Pharmaceutical Authority had also been set up recently, which would collect samples of food and medicines in the province and test them.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.