Central Forensic Science Laboratory to come up in Thiruvananthapuram; focus on drug cases

Thiruvananthapuram: A Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) will be established in Thiruvananthapuram to ensure the prompt availability of scientific examination reports in criminal cases, including drug-related offences. The facility will be set up under the National Forensic Infrastructure Development Scheme.

Under the new criminal laws, scientific examination reports are mandatory in cases carrying a sentence of more than 7 years.

Efforts are underway to identify land for the laboratory at Technopark. The state government had earlier appointed more scientific officers to its forensic laboratories to address delays in issuing examination reports. However, delays continue to persist. At present, 8,422 drug-related cases are pending before trial courts in the state.

The state government's main forensic laboratory is located at the Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Regional laboratories are functioning in Kannur, Thrissur and Ernakulam. In addition, forensic laboratories are available in all districts, along with 19 mobile forensic units.

At present, NDPS courts are functioning in Kozhikode and Thodupuzha. Approval has been granted to establish NDPS courts in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. It has also been decided to set up new NDPS courts in Palakkad, Thrissur and Manjeri.

The number of drug-related cases has increased as the new government has intensified measures against drug use.