Introduction
The effective investigation and prosecution of criminal cases depend significantly on the proper collection, preservation, forwarding, and scientific examination of forensic exhibits. Investigating officers must ensure strict compliance with legal procedures relating to seizing, packing, sealing, documentation, chain of custody, and forwarding protocols.
All exhibits should be accompanied by the prescribed forwarding memorandum, seizure lists, FIR copies, post-mortem reports (where applicable), specimen seals, and other relevant case documents. Judicial orders should be obtained whenever required by law.
The following is a consolidated guide to the principal forensic and scientific authorities available for examination of exhibits in West Bengal.
State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), West Bengal
Authority: Director-cum-Senior Chemical Examiner, State Forensic Science Laboratory, West Bengal.
Address: 37/1/2, Belgachia Road, Kolkata – 700037.
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Jalpaiguri
Authority: Asst. Director, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Jalpaiguri
FAX: (03561)Address: Racecourse Para, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, PIN CODE – 735 101, Phone: (03561) 31238, FAX:(03561) 231238, Email: [email protected]
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Durgapur
Authority: Asst. Director, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Durgapur.
Address: Shankarpur, Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman, Pin Code-713212, Email: [email protected]
Functions and Exhibits Examined
The State Forensic Science Laboratory is the primary forensic institution for the investigation of criminal cases in West Bengal and examines a wide range of exhibits, including:
- Biological evidence such as blood, semen, saliva, hair, nails, fibers, bones, viscera, and other body tissues.
- Toxicological samples involving poisons, drugs, alcohol, and chemical substances.
- Ballistic exhibits, including firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, and gunshot residue.
- Physical and chemical exhibits such as soil, glass, paints, building materials, petroleum products, and tampered electrical meters.
- Digital and cyber evidence, including computers, hard disks, mobile devices, CCTV footage, audio-video recordings, and electronic data.
- Narcotic substances and psychotropic drugs.
- DNA profiling and related biological examinations.
- Questioned documents, handwriting, signatures, and forgery-related materials.
SFSL is the preferred laboratory for routine investigations conducted by state police agencies. Its expert reports are admissible in evidence under Section 39 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and under Section 329 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Kolkata
Authority: Director, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata, under the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Address: 30, Gorachand Road, Park Circus, Kolkata – 700014.
Functions and Exhibits Examined
CFSL Kolkata deals with highly specialized and complex forensic examinations, including:
- Arms and ammunition.
- Commercial explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
- Counterfeit currency and security documents.
- Advanced DNA analysis.
- Sophisticated cyber and electronic evidence.
- Interstate, national security, and central agency investigations.
State police cases are generally referred to CFSL only where specialized facilities are unavailable at SFSL or where examination is directed by a competent court or higher authority.
Finger Print Bureau, West Bengal
Authority: Director, Finger Print Bureau, under the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), CID, West Bengal.
Address: Police Record Bhawan, Bhabani Bhawan, CID, West Bengal
Functions and Exhibits Examined
The Bureau is responsible for:
- Examination and comparison of latent fingerprints.
- Analysis of developed fingerprint lifts.
- Verification of ten-digit fingerprint records.
- Footprint comparison and elimination studies.
- Integration and matching through the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
Its services are vital for establishing identity, linking suspects to crime scenes, and eliminating innocent persons from investigation.
Questioned Documents Examination (QDE) Bureau, CID West Bengal
Authority: Director, QDE, CID, West Bengal / Officer-in-Charge, QDE Bureau.
Address: CID, West Bengal, Bhabani Bhawan, 31 Belvedere Road, Alipore, Kolkata – 700027.
Functions and Exhibits Examined
The Bureau undertakes scientific examination of:
- Handwriting and signatures.
- Forged and fabricated documents.
- Altered, erased, or obliterated writings.
- Indented writings.
- Stamp impressions and seals.
- Security features of currency and valuable documents.
The State Forensic Science Laboratory also maintains a Questioned Documents Division and may coordinate with the QDE Bureau where necessary.
District Arms Expert / Armourer
Authority: Notified Arms Expert or Inspector (Armourer) attached to the concerned District Police or Armed Police Battalion.
Location: District Police Lines or Unit Headquarters.
Functions and Exhibits Examined
District Arms Experts conduct preliminary examinations of:
- Factory-made firearms.
- Country-made weapons.
- Ammunition and fired components.
Their reports assist in the timely filing of charge sheets under the Arms Act. However, final scientific opinion regarding firing capability, ballistic matching, and weapon identification must ordinarily be obtained from the Ballistics Division of SFSL or CFSL.
Intellectual Property and Counterfeit Goods Cases
Trade Marks
Authority: Registrar of Trade Marks.
Address: Nizam Palace, 234/4 A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020.
Patents and Designs
Authority: Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks.
Address: Bhoudhik Sampada Bhawan, CP-2, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700091.
In cases involving trademark infringement, piracy, counterfeit goods, or intellectual property violations, expert certification may be sought from the competent statutory authorities. However, electronic evidence such as CDs, DVDs, hard drives, mobile phones, and digital recordings must be examined through SFSL or CFSL digital forensic divisions. Private trade associations do not possess the status of recognized forensic laboratories for evidentiary authentication.
State Drugs Control and Research Laboratory (SDCRL)
Authority: Director, State Drugs Control and Research Laboratory.
Address: 2, Convent Lane, Kolkata – 700015.
Functions and Exhibits Examined
The laboratory examines:
- Spurious drugs.
- Misbranded pharmaceuticals.
- Adulterated medicines.
- Cosmetics and allied products.
In cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, samples of heroin, ganja, cocaine, MDMA, opium, psychotropic substances, and other illicit narcotics should ordinarily be forwarded to the Narcotics or Toxicology Division of SFSL or other legally authorized chemical examination laboratories.
Polygraph, Narcoanalysis, and Brain Mapping Examinations
Certain specialized investigative techniques such as
- Polygraph (Lie Detection Test)
- Narcoanalysis
- Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature (BEOS/BEAP)
- Brain Mapping
are available at selected forensic institutions, including CFSLs and certain State Forensic Laboratories.
DNA Profiling Laboratories
DNA profiling may be conducted by government-recognized laboratories, including:
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD).
- DNA divisions of CFSL laboratories.
- DNA Division of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, West Bengal.
Reports issued by duly authorized forensic experts are admissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Private laboratories may be utilized only where specifically permitted by competent judicial authority or in appropriate civil proceedings.
Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt. Ltd. Salboni
Authority: Senior General Manager, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note: Mudran Pvt. Ltd., Salboni.
Address: Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt. Ltd., Salboni, Dist.- West Midnapore, Pin- 721132, Phone: (03227) 280735,
Function and Exhibits Examined: The seized currency is examined by experts to confirm whether it is counterfeit and to collect technical evidence for the investigation.
Best Practices for Investigating Officers
Preservation and Packaging
- Use proper containers suitable for the nature of the exhibit.
- Avoid contamination, tampering, or deterioration of evidence.
- Seal exhibits with the officer’s specimen seal.
- Clearly label every packet with case details.
Chain of Custody
- Maintain continuous documentation from seizure to laboratory receipt.
- Record every transfer of custody.
- Preserve seal integrity throughout transportation and examination.
Documentation
- Attach forwarding memo and specimen seal impression.
- Include FIR, seizure lists, post-mortem report, inquest report, medical reports, and relevant court orders.
- Use prescribed departmental forms wherever applicable.
Digital Evidence
- Create forensic images whenever possible.
- Record hash values for data integrity verification.
- Preserve original devices in sealed condition after imaging.
Choice of Laboratory
| Type of Examination or Case | Appropriate Laboratory or Authority |
|---|---|
| Routine criminal investigations | SFSL, West Bengal |
| Highly specialized, interstate, or central agency matters | CFSL or other notified national laboratories |
| Drug quality cases | SDCRL |
| Fingerprint identification | Finger Print Bureau |
| Questioned documents | QDE Bureau or SFSL Questioned Documents Division |
Important Note
Addresses, contact details, laboratory capabilities, and procedural requirements may change over time. Investigating officers should always verify the latest instructions, forms, and forwarding protocols issued by the concerned forensic institution before dispatching exhibits for examination. Proper compliance with forensic procedures strengthens evidentiary value and enhances the reliability of scientific findings before courts of law.
Mandatory Legal Requirements
As laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Selvi v. State of Karnataka:
- Free and informed consent of the subject is mandatory.
- Consent must be recorded before a judicial magistrate.
- The individual must be informed of all legal, physical, and psychological implications.
- A valid court order must be obtained.
- Prior approval and scheduling must be secured from the concerned forensic laboratory.
The results of such tests are not substantive evidence and may only assist investigative leads. Compulsory administration is constitutionally impermissible.
Conclusion
Proper forensic exhibit dispatch requires strict adherence to preservation, sealing, documentation, and chain of custody protocols. By forwarding evidence to the appropriate specialized laboratories—whether SFSL, CFSL, Fingerprint Bureau, QDE Bureau, or SDCRL—investigators ensure scientific accuracy and legal admissibility.
Compliance with statutory requirements, meticulous record-keeping, and careful choice of laboratory not only safeguard evidentiary integrity but also strengthen the credibility of forensic findings before courts of law.
