Governor’s advisor K Vijay Kumar Friday inaugurated Kashmir’s first state-of-art DNA testing facility, costing Rs three crore, at the forensic science laboratory in Srinagar.
Director FSL Anand Jain, inspector general of police SwayamPrakash Pani and other senior officers of the police and FSL were present onthe occasion.
Talking to reporters after the inauguration function, Kumarsaid the Srinagar FSL is now an advanced laboratory given the equipment it hasreceived.
“The laboratory technicians at the FSL are well-trained andwe will also be training people at the police station level,” he said, adding:”The investigations will be carried out on fast-track basis. The new equipmenthas a very significant role in the modern world.”
Kumar said the facility would improve the rate ofconviction, especially in cases of heinous crimes.
“The new facility will help us in deciphering the identityof an individual in cases like murder, rape, identification of unidentified andunclaimed bodies, apart from identification of mass disaster victims at thebehest of courts,” he said.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, director FSL Anand Jain said thelaboratory is adorned with sophisticated equipment like genetic analyser.
“We won’t be dependent any longer on the Chandigarh andHyderabad FSLs. The primary tests that the new equipment will facilitate areDNA tests of unclaimed or unidentified bodies including those killed inencounters,” Jain said.
“We will also be able to complete investigations into therape and murder cases on fast-track basis and ensure speedy justice to thevictims,” he said.
“As far as the shortage of other staff is concerned, we areworking on that front too. All the vacant posts will be filled soon,” he said.