200 cases and counting: Delay in delivery of forensic reports affects investigation

No reports has been received since 2011, says police spokesperson.

FAISALABAD:

Investigation of more than 200 murder cases registered at various police stations in the district is being delayed due to pending forensic laboratory reports, police spokesman Aamir Waheed said on Wednesday. All these were registered during the last two years, he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Waheed said samples taken from bodies were sent to the forensic science laboratory in Lahore. He said no reports has been received since 2011.

He said the laboratory was been regularly reminded about the reports, but to no avail. He said forensic reports were imperative in completing investigation in any case, especially murder. “Courts reject investigation reports that are submitted without forensic reports supporting the prosecution account,” he said.

Investigation SSP told The Express Tribune that police were bound to complete investigation based on forensic reports. He said delay in obtaining forensic science laboratory reports was adding to the agonising wait of victims for justice. He said most of them accused the police of deliberate delay and negligence.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2013.