The integration of the Punjab Forensic Science Authority's (PFSA) database with prison records has led to the resolution of 240 criminal cases through fingerprint matching, officials disclosed on Wednesday.
The joint initiative between the PFSA and the Prison Department has developed a central database containing fingerprints of 440,000 inmates, with new records added daily as prisoners are admitted.
Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi highlighted these achievements at the closing ceremony of a training program for prison officials at the PFSA.
The training focused on the systematic collection and storage of prisoners' fingerprints and photographs.
"We have successfully traced 240 blind cases of serious crimes, including murder, robbery, rape, and highway robbery, through this forensic database," Dr. Qazi said. "This system is proving vital for swift identification of suspects and the prevention of crime."
The database contains not only fingerprints but also standardised photographs of inmates from three angles. Daily prison data is transmitted to the PFSA to ensure continuous updates.
Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, PFSA Director General Dr Muhammad Amjad, Director Admin Waqar Ahmad, and other senior officials attended the ceremony.
A total of 120 prison officers from across Punjab completed their training under the program. Dr Qazi stated that Punjab's prisons are being upgraded into "technology hubs" equipped with modern security systems.
"We are focusing on both prisoner rehabilitation to make them productive citizens and on the eradication of crime," he noted.
At the event, the home secretary distributed certificates to the trainees and toured the newly constructed training laboratory and PFSA building.
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