OUTDATED and ineffective methods of investigation and evidence collection are among the weaker links of Pakistan’s law-enforcement and justice systems.

Evidence is mostly obtained through rudimentary methods, and combined with a flawed investigation process, this can result in letting criminals off the hook, or punishment for the innocent.

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However, if forensic science is properly employed, the scenario can change for the better. For example, Punjab’s Forensic Science Agency has set a positive trend and despite the limitations of the police force, is making an effort to change the culture of investigation and evidence collection. Set up in 2012 by a Pakistani-American expert with support from the Punjab chief minister, the multimillion dollar lab has been praised by independent observers.

The lab has covered nearly all the bases required for a facility to meet the demands of modern forensic investigation, most importantly DNA analysis. But as Ashraf Tahir, the lab’s director general, has said, the police lack training in how to secure crime scenes and collect evidence.

This fact has been corroborated by Punjab’s inspector general of police. However, if training is imparted to the force — from the officer level down to the policeman in the field — there is no reason why evidence collection and investigation cannot significantly improve.

Whether it is cases of terrorism or regular crime, well-equipped forensic labs staffed with well-trained professionals are essential in investigating incidents.

At present, Punjab’s facility is the only one of its kind in the country. Sindh has a forensic lab, but the facility lacks the capability for DNA analysis.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have no satisfactory forensic facilities. Perhaps Punjab’s forensic lab can be used as a template to be replicated in other provinces. In such troubled times, it is incomprehensible why each provincial capital does not have fully functioning forensic investigation facilities.

This needs to change: along with establishing labs staffed with independent professionals who can run them, a thorough training of police forces is needed in each province so that modern investigation and crime scene preservation techniques become part of the law enforcers’ standard operating procedures.

In a country where evidence is frequently compromised or even hosed down this is a tall order, but it is a change that is essential if police culture in Pakistan is to be positively transformed. Admittedly, such facilities and training will not come cheap; but we can ill afford to continue fighting crime and terrorism using obsolete methods.

Published in Dawn January 28th, 2015

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