Course launched for Crime Scene Unit officials

Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, has started a three-day training session for Crime Scene Unit (CSU) Officers, Sindh Police.

A total of 30 CSU Officers attended the first day of the training session held at the LEJ National Science Information Center. However, 90 Crime Scene Unit Officers will participate in the three-day training sessions.

In her inaugural speech, ICCBS Director Acting Prof. Dr Farzana Shaheen welcomed the participants on behalf of Prof. Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and COMSTECH Coordinator-General. She said that SFDL regularly conducted comprehensive training sessions for Police medico-legal and prosecution departments and the judiciary. She maintained that these training sessions are designed for various stakeholders, catering to their official needs. She informed the participants that more than 5000 cases of DNA analysis had been done in the state-of-the-art Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory.

SFDL in charge and Project Director Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, in his speech, discussed the technological advancement in forensic DNA analysis. He said that forensic DNA was a crucial modern-age tool which had gained much attention recently in most criminal and civil matters. He said, "This training session is designed to focus on sample collection from different case scenarios, their labelling and transport to the SFDL for submission maintaining the chain of custody."

He also described the establishment of the state-of-the-art facility of forensic DNA analysis, which is developed according to international standards containing qualified and trained staff and highly advanced technology. The officers also participated in the hands-on training session at the mock crime scene of the SFDL for sample collection, labelling and packing, and documentation. At the end of the first day of the training session, participants paid a visit to Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2022.