THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In the backdrop of the mounting pendency rates, the Home Department has initiated a discussion to explore the possibility of merging of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Chemical Examiners Laboratory (CEL) in the state.
The FSL comes under the police department, while CEL functions under the Home Department. The FSL and CEL in most states have been merged following a recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission.
The FSL and CEL have been bogged down by a high pendency rate as about 88,000 cases are pending in the two institutions. Sources said FSL has about 28,000 cases pending, while CEL has about 60,000. Highly-placed sources said though the government has initiated discussions on the merger, things are yet to take off due to the complexities involved.
“Merging the two institutions is not easy. There are administrative, legal and service implications that need to be resolved. It’s time-consuming. Right now, the government is checking the pros and cons and a final call will be taken much later,” said a source. Those batting for the merger said the two entities can evolve into stronger institutions in terms of manpower and technology and swiftly dispose of cases.
However, things are easier said than done, said critics. Their argument is that FSL has about 11 divisions and examiners are domain specialists. In CEL, examinations are done by those having a graduation or PG in Chemistry.
Post-merger, CEL examiners can only handle cases that come to the Chemistry wing. The cases that hitherto came to CEL biology and serology wings would have to be handled by FSL officials since they have the subject expertise and these pitfalls would undermine the purpose of the merging.
Another aspect that creates apprehension is the difference in the mode of operation of both institutions. FSL examines material objects that are forwarded via the courts, while CEL handles samples sent via the court as well as directly provided by investigating agencies.
CEL has got a headquarters lab and two regional labs, while FSL has got a headquarters unit and three regional labs. FSL has several special wings dealing with physics, ballistics, biology, serology, DNA and documents.
CEL has excise, general chemistry, narcotics, serology and toxicology wings. Both institutions have overlapping domains such as serology, while they have their special areas. For example, FSL has a ballistic wing, which CEL does not have. On the other hand, CEL has a toxicology wing to detect poison that affects humans and animals.