Evidence issues: Capital police’s lack of forensic lab compromising investigations

Islamabad Police pursue agreement with K-P govt to use its lab for tests.

ISLAMABAD: Without a forensic lab for various tests, the Islamabad Police are still relying on conventional investigations, which often yield inferior or compromised results.

In over 8,000 cases including forgery, sexual assault and narcotics registered last year, the police struggled to conduct full investigations without the option of forensic testing.

Islamabad Police Inspector General (IG) Tahir Alam Khan told The Express Tribune that the problem would soon be sorted out, as the Islamabad Police were going to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government to get tests done at the latter’s forensic lab at discounted rates.

Currently, the Islamabad Police are getting forensic tests done by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in Lahore, which has been an expensive and time-consuming experience.

“After the MOU is signed, the problem of delay into investigations would be solved to very a great extent as the police would be able to obtain the reports earlier,” said the police chief.



“Different cases have different charges and it takes two to three months to obtain results from Lahore, which is also a major reason for delays in investigations,” he said.

He said that the biggest problem for investigation officers was the need to personally go to Lahore after taking samples.

“Due to paucity of funds and a meagre budget for investigation and lab tests, most samples remain with the investigation officer without being tested,” he said.

The IGP said that after the agreement is signed, the lab there will charge Rs1,000 per case and would take between a week and 10 days to prepare the lab reports, with payments being cleared on a monthly basis.

“One sample of hashish costs Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 to test. Imagine how much money we would need if we impounded a container full of contraband,” said another senior police official who requested not to be named.

“The early receipt of reports from the K-P lab will help police prepare and submit charge sheets in courts on time,” he said, adding that the agreement will also help clear the backlog of cases.

“Most of the time, investigation officers pay for lab tests out-of-pocket, and the police department refuses to compensate them when they provide the bills,” said another police official, who also requested not to be named.

He said some investigation officers even ask complainants or accused to pay for the lab tests.

While appreciating the move, Aabpara Police Station House Officer Khalid Awan said it should have come sooner. “There is a dire need to take steps to help the police speed up investigations,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2015.