National Forensic Agency on the cards

Run by the interior ministry, the agency will provide forensic science services to FIA and police.

ISLAMABAD: The worsening law and order situation has prompted the government to set up a National Forensic Agency (NFA), The Express Tribune has learnt.

A budget of more than Rs2 billion has been approved for the agency which is meant to minimise the chances of criminals and bombers’ fleeing the crime scene.

A senior official said that the decision comes following frequent attacks on security forces and public places. He said that the NFA will be controlled and run by the interior ministry and its head office will be set up in Islamabad.

The agency will have branches in all provinces except Punjab. “Punjab has already worked on it and it has developed a forensic sciences system,” he said. A forensic laboratory was set up in 1974, which is now outdated as the nature of crime has completely changed, he added.

The official said that the NFA has been approved after hectic endeavours of almost 12 years. He said that it is necessary to establish such an agency, considering the worsening law and order situation.

The NFA will provide forensic science services to the police forces, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other government agencies that require it for investigation.

The official said NFA will have multiple facilities including forensic chemistry, the study of detection and identification of illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson cases, explosives and gunshot residue.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2010.