Pindi cops to get forensic training in Lahore

Investigators to learn how to collect, handle, transport evidence

RAWALPINDI:

Around 2,000 investigative officers of the Rawalpindi police will undergo basic investigating training on collecting, handling and transporting forensic evidence in order to counter the increase in cases where tainted or compromised evidence benefitted the accused.

A senior officer of the force, while speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, said the training would be held at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in Lahore, which is the only such facility in the country. The trainings were said to be scheduled for January.

The officer said that the training would include guidelines on preservation of the crime scene, collecting and sealing sample or evidence, and the transportation of forensic evidence obtained from the crime scene.

The officer said that it was done as investigation officers were unskilled in collective such evidence particularly in heinous crimes such as rape and murder as well as street crime, robbery or kidnapping for ransom.

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“Due to the negligence of investigators, the accused are often able to get relief by challenging the evidence in the courts,” the officer said.

The officer said the training would be conducted in phases, with batches of 150 to 200 IOs to from Rawalpindi to Lahore every month.

The training would include fingerprinting, medico-legal processes, murder investigation, computer forensics, documentation, DNA collection, firearm and tool mark, drug and testing for toxic materials.

It would also provide specific guidelines like the desired temperature for storing and transporting a particular sample.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2023.