FSL - Forensic Science Laboratory Visit

What is a Forensic Science?

• Forensic science is the application of various branches of science for legal purposes.
• Forensic science provides scientific assistance to investigative agencies in obtaining physical evidence from the scene, as well as providing scientific opinion on such collected evidence.
• Forensic science plays a very important and significant role in the criminal justice delivery system.

Brief History of Forensic Science Laboratory, Gujarat

• The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) of Gujarat was first established in Ahmedabad on May 1, 1974, with Chemistry, Physics, and Biology divisions.
• Over the years, its services expanded across the state to improve regional crime investigation.

Timeline:

• 1978: The Chemical Analyzer Laboratory in Junagadh was merged and upgraded to a Regional FSL for the Saurashtra region.
• 1983: A Regional FSL was opened in Surat to serve South Gujarat.
• 1995 & 2007: A district, later upgraded to a regional, FSL was established in Vadodara.
• 2002: The Handwriting, Photographic, and Finger Print Bureaus were integrated under the Director of Forensic Science, unifying all scientific investigation branches.
• 2003: The Directorate of Forensic Science was established in Gandhinagar to tackle modern challenges like cybercrime and to focus on research and development.
• 2011: A Regional FSL was established in Rajkot to serve the city and its surrounding areas with multiple scientific divisions.

The Journey

• On Saturday, 20th Day of September 2025, with thirty-three Students and two faculty members of Law Department of Grace College across all three odd semesters begin their Study tour, early by 4 am to Forensic Science Laboratory, Gandhinagar via Bus Transport.
• The Aim of the study tour is to explore the role of Forensic Science in Criminal investigation and how it is assisted to identify the chronology of crime scene and real culprits behind it.
• We reach there by 1030 am and waited for the permission to enter.
• Until the permission is granted we waited outside and took a group photograph for our memory.
• Very soon we received permission for nine departments across two buildings which are mentioned below:

Hereby we will go through each department one-by-one, but before we enter, please keep your phones silent or switch-off. 😀

1. Fingerprint Division

What

• The Fingerprint Division is a vital part of forensics where the true identity of criminals is established through fingerprint examination.
• The Fingerprint Bureau's functions include the examination and comparison of criminals' fingerprints, the examination and comparison of chance prints found at a crime scene, the examination and comparison of thumb impressions on disputed documents, and the collection of fingerprints of convicted and habitual offenders.

How

• To create and store a large fingerprint database of criminals for quick identification, the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) at the DFS, Gandhinagar's Fingerprint Division has been equipped with a web-based solution and upgraded to its latest version.
• They keep a Record slip and undergo with Henry base Classification of the Fingerprint to identify the person.
• In Henry Base Classification - 8 Points in coordinate system of finger is identified.
• These 8 point coordinate system is also used to identify disease of a person.
• At the Crime Scene to take Finger-print from any object, a white charcoal powder is used.

Uses

• It plays a crucial role in solving crimes by identifying culprits through the comparison of fingerprints found at crime scenes of various offenses such as burglary, robbery, dacoity, murder, kidnapping, etc.
• It is also used during identification of person for actual Dastavez, Death of a person & his connection with bank.

Facts

• Under this system, the fingerprint records of more than 1.2 million (12 lakh) criminals have been stored.
• As a result, in the last three years, approximately 166,000 criminals have been identified and their information has been reported.
• Today every Police Station in India is connected with Finger System Line in Gandhinagar.
• After Suspect is termed as Criminal it’s Finger-print is recorded and stored permanently with Finger System.

Presently

• Earlier EFI system was used on a State wise basis, but today MEFI system is used and entire data is stored at the center i.e. Delhi Forensic Science Department.
• DFS, Gujarat is the first state in India to implement this advanced technology with Digital Scanning system only.
• All districts in the state are covered by an online connection with the headquarters at DFS, Gandhinagar.

Future

• Under the Mega City Project, a process has been initiated to equip 36 police stations in Ahmedabad city with the facility to take criminals' fingerprints via live scanners for online submission.

2. Physics Division

What

• Technologies helpful in solving serious crimes are available in this department, such as the
1. Tensile Testing System
2. Audio Video Tape Authentication System
3. EDXRF System (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence)
4. Scanning Electron Microscope
• This division has special facilities for the examination of counterfeit currency notes and counterfeit printed documents.

Counterfeit Currency Notes

• Counterfeit currency notes are imitation banknotes that are produced with the intent to deceive and pass off as genuine currency, lacking the backing and authority of a country’s central bank or government.

Counterfeit Printed Documents

• Counterfeit printed documents are unauthorized replicas or fraudulent copies of genuine official documents, created with the intent to deceive by closely imitating the original in appearance, content, or format.

Voice Identification System:

• This division has a ‘Voice Identification System’ facility for identifying a person from their voice.

What

• Forensic voice identification systems authenticate a person's voice by scientifically analyzing and comparing voice samples using multiple approaches and technologies.

Key Steps in Forensic Voice Identification

• Collection of voice samples: 
• Investigators obtain the questioned voice recording (evidence) as well as reference recordings from the suspect or known individuals for direct comparison.
• Feature extraction: 
• Acoustic features such as pitch, frequency, amplitude, formants, and speech patterns are extracted from both recordings. The physical structure of vocal organs, unique speech habits, accent, and rhythm all contribute to a person's vocal fingerprint.

Analysis techniques:

• Auditory analysis: 
• A forensic expert listens for distinct vocal features and speech habits.
• Spectrographic analysis (voiceprinting): 
• The computer creates a visual spectrogram (a graph of frequency vs. time), and experts compare the unique visual patterns in the recordings.
• Acoustic-phonetic analysis: 
• Experts use signal processing software for direct measurement of acoustic properties of speech, comparing elements like vowel/consonant articulation.
• Automatic speaker recognition (ASR): 
• Advanced software (including AI and Deep Neural Networks) builds voiceprints from the acoustic features in small time segments and matches them statistically against a database or suspect sample, providing a likelihood ratio for matching.

Reporting and Evidence

• After analysis, the forensic examiner prepares a report stating the likelihood or probability that the questioned and reference recordings belong to the same person, often using statistical models and population comparisons.

Scientific Basis

• Each individual’s voice is shaped by unique physiological features and learned behaviors, making the analysis comparable to fingerprint or DNA matching in terms of reliability, though subject to recording and environmental limitations.
• A combination of expert judgment and technological approaches increases the reliability and acceptance of forensic voice identification in courts and investigations.

Questions

1. Can a voice by Mimicry Artist be identified as real or mimic voice?
1. Yes Absolutely, mimicry artist can be identified as faking with the voice of original person.
2. What about AI Voice cloning of real person?
1. It can be identified as cloned voice, not a big deal to crack that.
3. Can a height of person be identified by how thick or thin voice is?
1. No it cannot be, as results will not be that accurate.

3. Computer & Mobile Forensic Division

What

• Under the aegis of this office, 33 Mobile Forensic Investigation Vans are operational, covering the entire state of Gujarat.

How

• Experts promptly visit crime scenes to conduct necessary scientific tests on-site.
• They assist investigating officers in collecting essential physical evidence from the crime scene and provide a preliminary opinion regarding the crime.
• Each Mobile Forensic Investigation Van is equipped with necessary state-of-the-art instruments.
• The Scientific Officers on duty in the Mobile Forensic Investigation Vans are provided guidance from the Gandhinagar office when needed. Also, if required, expert officers from the Gandhinagar office are sent to the crime scene for intensive examination.

Advancement

• The Scientific Officers serving in the Mobile Forensic Investigation Vans are periodically updated about new forensic methods through training and workshops.
• These services are provided to the state police force 24 hours a day.

Present

• To conduct on-the-spot testing of brief and provide a report right there, four (4) mobile vans equipped with special, state-of-the-art instruments are operational in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot.

4. DNA Division

What

• DNA fingerprinting is an advanced technology in which a person can be identified with certainty.
• For example, just as every person has different fingerprints, allowing for precise identification through the fingerprinting method, similarly in DNA fingerprinting technology, every human's DNA has certain specific differences from one another.

How

• By meticulously studying these differences through advanced technology, a person's specific identity can be established through their DNA profile.
• That is why this method is known as DNA fingerprinting technology.

Through this method, the following different types of cases can be studied:

1. Since DNA chromosomes are inherited from the mother and father in every individual, this method can be used to definitively identify the mother and father of any child.
2. When an unidentified body cannot be identified by its physique, face, clothes, jewelry, watch, license, identity card, or any other articles, the identification can be done by comparing the DNA profile obtained from a sample of the unidentified body (tissue/tooth/bone) with the DNA profiles from the blood samples of its relatives (parents and children).
3. In controversial rape cases where the victim has died, where one or more accused are involved, or where no other circumstantial evidence is available, an opinion can be provided through DNA fingerprinting technology.

In DNA fingerprinting technology, the following types of modern instruments are used:

1. Deep-Freezer (-20° C)
2. Refrigerated Centrifuge Machine
3. Automated DNA Extraction Modules
4. Real-Time PCR (qPCR)
5. Thermal Cycler (PCR)
6. DNA Sequencer (GENETIC ANALYZER)

5. Blood Alcohol Division

• In blood samples received under the Prohibition Act, the presence and quantity of volatile substances like ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol are tested using a fully automated Gas Chromatographic Headspace method.
• This method is used for routine analysis because its results are accurate, precise, and reproducible, as well as fast.
• This department tests approximately 300 blood samples daily of individuals who have consumed alcohol.

6. Chemistry & Narcotics Division

Functions of the Chemistry Division

The Chemistry Division currently has two types of sections in operation:

1. Examination of Explosive Substances
2. Analysis of Petroleum Product Samples

1. Examination of Explosive Substance Samples

a. Crude Bombs:

• Analysis of chemicals used in crude, handmade bombs such as jute-twine bombs, pipe bombs, and any other type of homemade explosive device is performed.
• Reports are provided after analyzing the chemical residues found in the post-blast debris as well as the chemicals present in the various components disassembled from live bombs.

b. Industrial Explosives:

• Chemical analysis reports are provided for industrial explosives, including dynamite and ANFO-type explosive materials.

c. High Explosives:

• Reports are provided after analyzing high-explosive substances such as RDX, PETN, Tetryl, TNT, etc.
• In these cases, modern instruments like the Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrophotometer, Ion Chromatograph, and LCMS are used.

2. Examination of Petroleum Product Samples

• Analysis of petroleum product samples, such as —
• Petrol
• Diesel
• White Kerosene
• Blue Kerosene
• Furnace Oil
• LDO (Light Diesel Oil)
• Lubricating Oil
• Crude oil

— which is extracted from the ground, solvents, etc.—is conducted based on the characteristics specified in the Indian Standards.

• For these samples, the following modern instruments are used:
• Automatic Distillation Unit
• Automatic Viscometer
• Automatic Flash Point Apparatus
• Automatic Reid Vapor Pressure Apparatus
• Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer
• Gas Chromatograph
• Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrophotometer

3. Narcotics Division:

Functions:

• The Narcotics Division analyzes samples of substances classified as Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances under the NDPS Act, 1985.
• Narcotic Substances:
• Samples that come to the Narcotics Division include those listed as narcotics such as ganja (cannabis), charas (hashish), opium, posh doda (poppy husk), brown sugar, and heroin.
• Psychotropic Substances:
• The division also analyses psychotropic substances such as phenobarbitone, secobarbitone, diazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, and amphetamine-type drugs.

The following methods which are used for the analysis of these samples:

1. Physical Examination
2. Chemical Examination
3. Instrumental Examination

For instrumental examination, reports are prepared after testing on modern instruments like the Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer, Gas Chromatograph, Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrophotometer, and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy).

7. Forensic Psychology Division

What

• The Forensic Psychology department performs a crucial function in crime investigation.
• In this department, a psychological assessment, lie-detector test, narco-analysis test, and brain fingerprinting test of the complainant, witness, suspect, and accused are conducted using scientific instruments, and an examination report is provided to the police/investigative agency.
• This report is useful to both the police and the judiciary for solving the crime and as evidence.

Why Forensic Psychology

• In many cases, biological/physical evidence that can link to the crime is not found at the crime scene.
• In such cases, an opinion is provided after examining the individuals associated with the crime in the Forensic Psychology department.
• This opinion serves as a link with other evidence gathered by the investigating officer and becomes useful as important corroborative evidence.

(1) Psychological Assessment:

• Individuals in cases that come to the department for examination undergo various psychological tests.
• Psychological assessment is performed using tools such as multi-phasic questionnaires, and projective tests like the:
• T.A.T (Thematic Apperception Test)
• Rorschach Inkblot Test
• Draw-A-Person Test
• B.G. Test (Bender - Gestalt Test)
• Permission:
• Court’s Permission is required
• Individual Accent is also required before conducting test.

(2) Lie-Detector (Polygraph) Examination:

• After committing a crime, due to the fear of being caught and other reasons, an individual tries to hide the fact that they committed the crime as well as information about it.
• As a result, certain physiological responses are generated in the body due to the person's mental state.
• In a lie-detector examination, the individual is interrogated using psychological methods while their polygraph test is conducted.
• The physiological responses arising from the individual's mental state are recorded and analysed by the polygraph instrument to determine whether the person under investigation is answering questions about the crime truthfully or hiding information.
• Permission:
• Court’s Permission is required
• Individual Accent is also required before conducting test.

(3) Narco Analysis Test:

• In a narco analysis test, a drug called Sodium Pentothal which acts as “Truth Serum” is injected into the body of the accused, which transports them to a hypnotic or sedated state in which their imagination is neutralised.
• A person's narco test is conducted at DFS, Gandhinagar, by a team comprising a Forensic Psychologist, and a Psychiatrist and an Anaesthetist from a government-approved hospital.
• The narco test involves interrogating a person using psychological methods to obtain crime-related information while they are in a narco trance.
• In psychological terms, this is known as a Narco Interview. In a conscious state, significant mental barriers prevent a person from providing crime-related information.
• These barriers are removed in the state of a narco trance, allowing for the retrieval of crime-related information stored in the person's mind.
• Above test is conducted in terms of three stages:
1. Pre-Narco Test
2. Narco Test
3. Post-Narco Test
• Permission:
• Court’s Permission is required
• Individual Accent is also required before conducting test.

(4) Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature Profile (BEOS):

• "Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature Profile" is a very modern method that aids in crime investigation.
• When a person commits a crime, the experience of having committed that crime is stored in their brain as a memory.
• In this test, the individual does not have to give any verbal response. The individual is made to listen to crime-related information in the form of words, known as "probes."
• In this test, the person's EEG is recorded, and based on its analysis, it is determined whether the person's brain possesses experiential knowledge of having committed the crime.
• Permission:
• Court’s Permission is required
• Individual Accent is also required before conducting test.

Other Systems:

a. Suspect Detection System:

• This device is very useful for identifying a potential suspect from a large group of people who have been rounded up in connection with an incident.
• This device is used to find out in a very short time whether a person is a suspect in a crime, whether the person has criminal intentions, and what kind of criminal activity they intend to carry out.
• This device measures the physiological effects of responses controlled by the person's autonomic nervous system.

b. Layered Voice Analysis (LVA):

• When a person hides the truth regarding a crime, specific types of changes occur in the layers of their voice.
• By scientifically analyzing the changes that have occurred in the voice layers, various things can be determined, such as:
• Is there truthfulness in the person's voice?
• Is the voice stressful?
• Is the person in an emotional state?
• Is the person certain about the information they have provided?
• Is the person answering logically? and so on.
• This test is performed using an LVA device through a face-to-face interview, online, or by analyzing the person's recorded conversation.
• Permission:
• Court’s Permission is required in both Suspect Detection System & Layered Voice Analysis.
• Individual Accent is also required for both Suspect Detection System & Layered Voice Analysis.

8. Ballistic Division

What

• In a firing incident, this department provides the necessary evidence to link the perpetrator to the crime by examining cartridges/cartridge casings, bullets, firearms, clothes, wounds on the body, hand wash, etc., found at the crime scene.

• Modern Pistols and bullets have internal barcode like scratch marks which is different from every guns and pistols, that helps to detect bullets fired from the same pistol or not.

How

• This department is equipped with a
• Comparison Microscope
• Boroscope
• Infrared Image Converter
• Bullet Trajectory Measurement tools
• Ballistic Data Acquisition System (BDAS)
• Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS)
• A firing range has been established to conduct ballistic experiments, which is a unique and unparalleled firing range in the country.
• A special facility has been set up for testing bulletproof materials (such as jackets, helmets, steel panels, and glass).

9. Document Division

What

• In this department, all types of document-related cases are sent for examination and opinion.
• These include cases of:
1. Bank Fraud
2. Suicides
3. Murders
4. Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) cases
5. C.I.D. Crime cases
6. Letter of Credit Cases
7. Land Scam Cases
8. Economic Offenses
9. Counterfeit Passport Cases
10. Threat Letters received by V.V.I.P.s
11. Blackmailing
12. Driving Licenses
13. School Leaving Certificates
14. Counterfeit Mark Sheets
15. Revenue Records
16. Counterfeit Visa Documents
17. Typewriting
18. Printed Matter
19. Rubber Stamps
20. Judicial Stamps
21. Security Products
22. Bogus Insurance Claims
23. Bogus Accident Insurance Cases
24. Forged Signatures
25. Writings
26. Alterations
27. Additions-Deletions
28. Traveller's Cheques
29. Bogus R.T.O. Books
30. R.T.O. Licenses
31. Bogus PAN Cards
• For the investigation of such cases, this department is equipped with highly modern instruments, such as:
1. The VSC-5000 (Video Spectral Comparator)
2. Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)
3. Zoom Stereo Microscope

Conclusion

• Without a doubt it was an eye-opening visit for me, as I learn that Forensic Science Laboratory is not just for identifying the culprits or chronology of crime scene, but it is also working in terms of providing justice to the innocent people as discussed in the case of Four Murders found Guilty in eyes of court and four years later found innocent through lens of Forensic Psychology Division, Gandhinagar.

Case Details:

• Four friends in Maharashtra were found guilty in a murder case by Bombay High Court.
• They were sent to jail.
• Four Years later, to prove their innocence they underwent into self-polygraphic test and self-narcotic test.
• During which going through both the test they all four were found innocent.

Journey to the End

We finally begin our journey to reach back to Rajkot by 3 pm. Listening down to some good music and playing Ludo, we reach to Hotel Darshan for dinner and moved on to Rajkot.

By 11 pm we all reached to Grace College and my fellow mates begin to reach back to their humble abode with half eye closed (without a doubt we were sleepy🥱).

With this I would like to thank Yash Sir and Namrata Mam for their constant support and for allowing all the time, for the type of masti and fun that we people wanted to do. Also I would like to thank Grace College and Department of Law for organising such an epiphanic study visits, especially Dr. Chirag Chauhan Sir (HoD) for being awake till late until each and every student reach home and update him about reaching to their place.

Thank You!

🌼🌻