In Focus by The Hindu Why is DNA evidence in India often not reliable?
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Oct 6, 2025 Shreya Rastogi, Director of Death Penalty Litigation and Forensics at The Square Circle Clinic, dives into the intricate world of DNA evidence in India. She discusses the recent Supreme Court guidelines aimed at preserving sample integrity, emphasizing the vital role of chain of custody. Shreya sheds light on the challenges police face at crime scenes, including training gaps and contamination risks. She calls for significant reforms in forensic practices, advocating for better training and stronger courtroom scrutiny to ensure reliable DNA evidence.
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Three-Tier Forensic Lab Structure
- India has three forensic lab tiers: central, state and regional, plus some mobile units aiding sample collection.
- Most casework is done in state/regional labs, creating administrative bottlenecks under state control.
No Independent Forensic Regulator
- Forensic labs fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs and DFSS advises but does not regulate state labs.
- India lacks an independent statutory forensic regulator to enforce standards across public and private labs.
DNA Use Has Deep Legal Roots
- DNA profiling has been used in India since the late 1980s and gained legal footing via 2005 CrPC amendments.
- Recent laws expand police powers to collect biological samples and create databasing concerns alongside increased collection capacity.