Brief Report on XX All India Forensic Science Conference
by Dr. (Mrs.) Bibha Rani Ray, Chief Forensic Scientist, Directorate of Forensic Science, MHA, New Delhi

It was a matter of great pleasure that over 300 delegates from all over the country and from abroad attended this prestigious conference. The main theme of this conference was “Crime Scene to Court Room”.

Hon’ble Union Home Minister Sh. P Chidambaram, inaugurated this conference on November  15, 2009. Hon’ble Union Home Minister stated that the central government is all set to introduce DNA testing bill in the Parliament and also set up a centralized DNA database for effective crime prevention and detection. He has pointed out that this bill is in final stage. He also added that a fire arm signature data bank would also be set up after introducing some amendments in the existing Arms Act.  Shri Chidambaram also announced that the Union Government would set up six new  regional forensic science laboratory along   with three new state-of-the –art central laboratories and 52  mobile forensic units across the country. He informed that the govt. of India is taking a number of measures for  development of forensic science in India, and Rs. 300 crore had been allotted for the same in the 11th Five Year Plan. He also suggestd that let the year 2010 be the year of Forensics.

He opined that even the forensic laboratory at Chandigarh, often rated as the best in the country needs improvement when compared to forensic centres in Washington DC.

In the presidential address Shri Ashok Gehlot said  this conference would encourage and allow scientists to exchange their ideas. He commended FSL for its good work in Rajasthan and mentioned that the State Government would support the FSL in the State.

In the welcome address Shri Dhariwal said that a regional laboratory would be opened in Bikaner soon.  He laid stress on Crime Scene Management, its thorough scientific analysis and interpretation with a view to have convincing evidence to bring culprits into the books. In view of the globalization and easy availability of innovative technology to a common man, a culture of criminal cosmopolitism has taken shape, which needs to be hit at its grass root level with effective R&D activities and deterrent forensic tools and techniques to have peace and tranquillity in the society?

In the inaugural session Shri H C Meena, DGP Rajasthan said “forensic science has always been used in crime investigation, and investigations supported by forensic science are not only correct, but they are also universally accepted.

Vote of thanks was delivered by Shri V N Mathur, Director, FSL, Rajasthan.

After the inaugural session, 4 invited talks were presented on 15th November 2009. The first invited talk was delivered by Mr. Joe Blozis, Retd. Sargent, New York Police Department on the subject of “Crime Scene to Court Rooms” which is the central theme of this conference. After that next invited talk was delivered by Mr. Arthur Eisenburg from University of North Texas on the subject “Identification of missing persons and his paper was significant for control of human trafficking”. Third invited talks was delivered by Shri M L Sharma, Member CIC on “Forensic Importance in Crime Investigation” . The fourth and the last talk on inaugural day was on “Cyber Terrorism” which was delivered by eminent scientist of the computer forensic field Shri P K Sastry, AGEQD, GEQD, Hyderabad.

On this day a workshop for judicial officer and police officer was also arranged. After the brief introduction,  two lectures  were delivered on the subject of Role of Forensic Psychology in Investigation and Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature Profiling (BEOS) Technique for Psychological Interrogation delivered by Dr. C R Mukundan. Such workshop is fourth in the series in the All India Forensic Science Conference.

On the second day the technical sessions began with invited talks. The first was by Mr. Peter Verek, DIBS USA on the Computer Forensics followed by Mr. S S Basoya on the subject of “Firearm Database Management Status and Challenges.

On the last day the session was started with invited talk delivered by Shri Rakesh Aggarwal, DIG, CBI, New Delhi on Scientific Investigation of crime.

Forensic Science Excellence Award and Meritorious Awards will also be presented. Dr. Rao, Former Chief Forensic Scientist, DFS, will be felicitated. My heartiest congratulations the these who will be getting these awards and I must say that the future will expect much more from them. A word for those who could not make it this year, I can tell them that this is not the end. This is the beginning so keep up the good work.
 
A very meaningful panel discussion was held with the theme of “Priorities of 2010 for Forensic Science”.

About 300 research papers were presented in different disciplines of forensic science and retired forensic experts were judges for selecting best paper awards and today the best paper awardees will be honoured.

With these words I thank you all for having actively participated in the conference and making this event a success.

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