Kerala Govt plans to merge Forensic Science Labs, Chemical Examiner's Laboratories

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Government plans to merge the state Forensic Science Labs (FSL) and Chemical Examiner's Laboratories. 

According to reports, the preliminary talks were held at the home secretary level. However, officials have expressed displeasure with the government's decision, arguing that the FSLs will lose their confidential status. 

It is worth noting that the FSLs only examine the evidence dispatched from the courts. However, the chemical examiner's laboratories examine evidence from various agencies. Officials are concerned about outside influence on the forensic lab's results. 

Since FSL labs are under the state police, the cops enjoy the liberty of directly reporting to the court. However, the police don't have the same authority over the chemical examiner's laboratory. 

Presently, three chemical examiner's laboratories in the state have nearly 60,000 pending cases. Meanwhile, 25,000 samples are pending before four FSL labs in the state.

While there are four divisions in the Chemical examiner's laboratories, there are 11 divisions in the FSL labs. If the two labs are merged, there would be a delay in getting tests done at the biology and serology departments. Such a delay could affect the case proceedings, including those registered under the POSCO Act. 

Furthermore, there is a clear difference in the academic qualifications of staff at both these institutions. Each division of FSL labs has postgraduates who have specialised in their respective fields and have undergone prerequisite training. However, in chemical examiner's laboratories, tests are conducted by those who have completed B.Sc. or M.Sc. Chemistry courses.