UP govt’s forensic lab expansion boosts crime control

Under its zero-tolerance policy against crime, over the past eight years, the Uttar Pradesh government has significantly expanded forensic science laboratories to prevent crime, identify criminals, and ensure strict punishment through strong evidence-based advocacy in courts.

Alongside this, the state established its first Forensic Institute, creating new career opportunities for the youth while also strengthening the justice system by enabling effective use of forensic evidence, especially in cybercrime cases.

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Today, this Forensic Institute has emerged as the premier centre for forensic education and research in the state. Here, training is being imparted to students, trainee scientists, police officers, and investigative personnel, while advanced research is also being carried out on new technologies. As a result, Uttar Pradesh is gaining recognition not just nationally, but also internationally, in the field of forensic science.

Officials said here on Sunday that forensic science laboratories in Uttar Pradesh have been expanded and modernised with advanced technologies and skilled personnel. The upgrades have strengthened crime control, enabled swifter punishment for criminals, and enhanced public confidence in justice and security — marking a key step towards making the state safer and more modern.

Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only four forensic laboratories in Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, and Ghaziabad. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, eight more labs have been set up in Jhansi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Bareilly, Gonda, Aligarh, and Moradabad, taking the total to 12. The expansion has strengthened crime investigations by ensuring timely forensic reports for police and courts, replacing earlier delays caused by limited facilities.

Recognising the growing need for modern forensic centers, the state government is now setting up six more laboratories in Ayodhya, Basti, Banda, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Saharanpur. Once operational, these will further enhance evidence collection and crime control in the state.

In another significant achievement, Uttar Pradesh’s forensic science infrastructure has been integrated with the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). The state fingerprint bureau and its network have been upgraded with advanced technology, connecting 9 STF units, 1 ATS unit, and 12 GRP units.

Hardware and software installations have been completed at 98 locations, helping Uttar Pradesh secure the first rank in the NCRB dashboard released from New Delhi. So far, over 4.14 lakh fingerprints have been digitised, making the identification of criminals and matching of unidentified bodies faster and more efficient.

Through NAFIS, the Police department can now quickly access information about the identity of criminals and their records. This technology is also proving highly effective in identifying unidentified bodies. As a result, it has strengthened crime control and enabled swift action against offenders.

In recent years, the government has implemented three new laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)-2023. To ensure their effective enforcement, emphasis has been placed on appointing scientists and experts in forensic science laboratories. Through fresh recruitments, trained scientists have been deployed across various units, where they are making vital contributions to investigations, evidence collection, laboratory analysis, and beat-based policing.

Chief Minister Adityanath will inaugurate the three-day International Summit of the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences (UPSIFS) here on Monday.
The summit will feature in-depth discussions on critical issues such as cybercrime, multilateral legal frameworks, forensics, and strategic countermeasures.

The objective of this global conference is to explore the interlinkages between cyber security, international law, and forensic science, and to identify actionable strategies in these domains. Experts from across the world will participate and share their insights on subjects related to cybercrime, criminology, and forensic advancements. The programme will take place in the auditorium of the Uttar Pradesh State Forensic Science Institute.