‘Lab on Wheel’ to Prove Crimes

Police are currently facing challenges with new types of crimes emerging regularly. The nature of crimes is evolving day by day, and criminals are employing new methods to commit offenses, making it difficult to solve these crimes. To address this changing nature of crime, the investigative systems also need to evolve. In line with this, to speed up investigations, the state is introducing the ‘Lab on Wheel,’ or ‘Mobile Forensic Van’ (forensic laboratory). On January 27, 2025, Maharashtra launched 21 mobile forensic vans at a ceremony held at the Sahyadri Guest House, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the project. Maharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce mobile forensic vans.

Earlier, limited technology relied on basic techniques such as fingerprinting and simple blood tests. Witness statements and primary evidence based on human observation played a significant role. DNA analysis was seldom used, and due to limited resources, crime investigations were slow. In some cases, criminals destroyed or tampered with evidence to escape punishment. Furthermore, examining evidence was a time-consuming process. However, with the introduction of mobile forensic vans, advanced technologies like DNA analysis, forensic audio, and cyber forensics will be utilized on a larger scale. This will enable the collection of bio-chemical and digital evidence directly at crime scenes.

Forensic Laboratory Directorate Operations:

The Forensic Laboratory Directorate operates various departments such as toxicology, biology, physics, narcotics, general equipment, and analysis. These departments assist in analyzing and reporting on crimes such as murder, rape, bomb blasts, and drug-related offenses. With the rise of cybercrimes, data theft, and online fraud, the acceptance of digital evidence has become a key aspect under the Information Technology Act. To handle this, the Directorate also includes sound, cyber, and audio-video departments. Psychological methods like lie detectors, brain mapping, and narco-analysis are also used.

Facilities Available in the Forensic Van:

The forensic vans are equipped with state-of-the-art forensic technology. These vans are capable of gathering evidence from crime scenes and conducting video conferencing with forensic experts. The Crime Scene Application used in these vans operates on blockchain technology, ensuring secure tracking of evidence and maintaining the ‘chain of custody.’ By storing meta-data and encrypted files of evidence, blockchain technology ensures the integrity of forensic investigations.

Available Kits in the Van:

The vans are equipped with various forensic kits, such as crime scene coordination and protection kits, general investigation kits, evidence collection kits, foot and tire print kits, forensic light sources, blood and semen detection kits, DNA collection kits, explosive detection kits, narcotic detection kits, and cyber forensic kits. The vans will also be used to collect evidence like blood, DNA, and materials needed in cases of rape. The forensic experts and assistants onboard will conduct these operations. The vans will be connected with CCTV and other monitoring systems, enabling communication with local police stations.

Forensic Van Operations:

Each van will be staffed with two expert officers, one assistant, and a control room supervisor who will work 24/7. Once the police station informs the control room about a crime scene, the corresponding forensic van unit will be dispatched. The forensic experts will coordinate with the investigation officers and use mobile tablets and the ‘Crime Scene Application’ to identify the crime scene. They will collect evidence with the help of forensic kits and stay in touch with the control room via video calls. The collected evidence will be sealed and securely stored with barcode registration, ensuring its integrity.

Purpose of the Project:

The Mobile Forensic Van project, approved by the state government under the Home Department, is aimed at enforcing provisions of the Indian Criminal Justice System. It is mandatory for forensic experts to collect circumstantial evidence in cases with sentences of seven years or more. The vans will be used for collecting, preserving, and photographing circumstantial evidence at crime scenes.

Project Scope:

The Maharashtra government has allocated funds for this project, which will provide 259 mobile forensic vans. These vans will be equipped with forensic kits, control rooms, chemicals, and software, including blockchain applications. The project will be operational for the next five years with trained forensic experts. A pilot project is being implemented in cities like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, and Jalgaon, with a total of 21 vans. The full project will roll out in two phases across the state, ultimately providing 259 vans.

Conclusion:

The introduction of these mobile forensic vans will significantly enhance the crime investigation process in Maharashtra, ensuring faster and more accurate collection of evidence and aiding forensic analysis. With an expected increase in the conviction rate, the project promises to strengthen the criminal justice system.