Why Maharashtra’s forensic labs are struggling to keep pace with casework? | Explained

Nearly 55,000 cases were pending across Maharashtra’s forensic laboratories at the beginning of September, with Cyber Forensics and Tape Authentication and Speaker Identification (TASI) together accounting for nearly three-fourths of the backlog, according to data from the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL).

Of the 54,897 cases carried forward as of September 1, 29,666 were with the Cyber division and 9,766 with TASI. Together, the two divisions accounted for 39,432 cases, or nearly 72% of the State’s forensic pendency.

The latest monthly data also shows that while the overall forensic backlog declined during August, pendency continued to increase in the two divisions accounting for its largest share.

The Cyber division began August with 29,535 pending cases and received another 685 during the month. It reported 254 cases, leaving 29,666 to be carried forward on September 1. TASI began the month with 9,616 pending cases and received another 265, while 115 were reported, leaving 9,766 cases pending.

Across all divisions, however, Maharashtra’s forensic backlog fell by 1,922 cases during August. The laboratories began the month with 56,819 pending cases and received 24,526 cases. During the month, 26,448 cases were reported, leaving 54,897 cases to be carried forward.

Mumbai had the highest laboratory-wise pendency in the State, with 14,169 cases carried forward at the beginning of September. Pune followed with 10,923, Nagpur with 7,467 and Nashik with 6,382.

DFSL Director Vijay Thakare attributed the pressure on the forensic system not only to manpower constraints but also to the volume of cases reaching laboratories relative to their existing processing capacity.

According to Thakare, Maharashtra’s forensic laboratories received around 2.5 lakh cases last year, while their current annual processing capacity is around two lakh to 2.25 lakh cases.

“Our current capacity is around two lakh to 2.25 lakh cases. Once this new staffing framework is implemented, our capacity will increase to four lakh,” Mr. Thakare told The Hindu.

The backlog is also concentrated in particular forensic disciplines rather than being uniform across the laboratory system. Thakare said the oldest pending cases in the divisions facing the larger backlog date to around 2021-22.

Other divisions are operating with considerably shorter turnaround periods, he said. Biology reports — including examination of blood, clothing and other crime-scene evidence — are currently issued within 30 days of receipt by the laboratory, while Toxicology reports involving samples such as viscera are similarly being issued within 30 days.

“So Toxicology and Biology are fast, but if it’s a Cyber case, there are delays,” Mr. Thakare said.