DGP, A&N Islands Inaugurates e-Forensics Portal for Seamless Upload and Download of Forensic Reports
Port Blair, March 5: The Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri. Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, inaugurated the e-Forensics Portal for smooth Upload and Download of digitally signed electronic Forensic Examination Reports in Compliance with New Legislation on three criminal law today, at the Conference hall, Police Headquarters. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Police officials, including all the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Superintendents of Police & Dy. Superintendents of Police, A & N Islands as well as Assistant Director (FSL), A&N Islands.
Forensic Science Laboratory, Port Blair, established in 2003 under the Police Department, has been actively conducting forensic examinations in crime cases related to Toxicology, NDPS, Excise, Trap, Petroleum products, and General chemistry. Presently, the establishment of two new wings, i.e. DNA Profiling Laboratory & Cyber Laboratory, is underway to further enhance forensic capabilities.
In response to the evolving landscape of digital investigations and the enactment of three new criminal laws aimed at enhancing digital security and digitization of processes involved in crime investigation & forensic examination, the project of implementation of report & download feature in e-Forensics Portal has been completed under the guidance of worthy DGP, A & N Islands. This portal will serve as a centralized platform for forwarding authorities such as Police and other law enforcement agencies to securely upload and download forensic reports.
DGP, A&N Islands mentioned in his address during this event that Andaman & Nicobar is the first Union Territory in the country to implement e-forensics and go paperless amongst all the Union Territories of the country and 2nd after Mizoram in adopting this feature of e-forensics portal. Further, he highlighted that A & N Police Department had already proved promptness & sincerity in implementing CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems), where it is standing first amongst all UTs at present.
During this launch, the Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Shri. Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, said that by implementation of e-Forensics Portal, it is anticipated that the investigative process will become more streamlined, transparent, and in accordance with the evolving demands of digital forensics in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It was emphasised by him that this process of uploading and downloading forensic reports, will reduce the time required for information exchange between forwarding authorities and Forensic Science Laboratory. Similarly, by incorporating advanced encryption measures, the eForensics Portal will ensures the secured transmission of sensitive forensic data. He also added that, the portal's design aligns with the recommendations of the new legislation, providing a reliable platform for forensic data management while meeting legal standards. Further, the centralized nature of the portal promotes seamless collaboration among different stakeholders, fostering a more effective exchange of information in the investigative process.
He also, stated that there is a need for strengthening Forensic Facilities in this Islands by establishing other divisions of FSL such as Ballistics, Physics, Document etc. by recruitment of sufficient scientific manpower and creating infrastructure to meet the need of crime case examination and scene of crime attendance as envisaged in three New Criminal Laws, where it is mandatory for Forensic Experts to visit the crime scene to collect evidence for offence punishable with seven years or more imprisonment.
He also emphasised on the extension of Forensic facilities to each and every island of the A & N by procuring sufficient Mobile Forensic vans and Mobile Forensic Boats to assure the collection of evidence in heinous crimes at far off places not connected with roads. He also asked Assistant Director, FSL to take the necessary steps so that the pendency in providing forensic results comes down significantly, so that the criminal justice system runs smoothly in these Islands. He said that ideally we should try to provide forensic examination results within 30 days of its receipt. At last, DGP appreciated the efforts put forth by SP (CID), DySP (CID) & AD FSL to make this program a grand event and proper implementation after notification of the same in the Gazette of Andaman & Nicobar Administration. It is pertinent to mention here that, the proposal for notification of the admission of digitally signed FSL reports in the court of law is under process and it is likely to be issued by the competent authority in due course.