Addressing Forensic Science Challenges in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is taking a pivotal step to strengthen its forensic science capabilities by planning to outsource forensic field investigations to licensed private experts and organisations. This initiative responds to a critical shortage of forensic officers; approximately 45% as of July 2025, impacting the efficient management of crime scenes across the state.

The shortage has notably increased in the wake of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which mandates forensic investigation for all crimes with a punishment of seven years or more. Despite the government sanctioning 1,266 posts for forensic experts, including field and laboratory roles, the recruitment process through the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission remains time-consuming. Moreover, all recruits require extensive training, typically spanning over three years, before they can be deployed on the field, creating a manpower gap that risks hampering timely forensic processes.

Learning from Maharashtra’s successful model, senior forensic officials, including Special Director General (Technical Services) Pawan Shrivastava and CFSL Bhopal Director Shashikant Shukla, visited Mumbai. There, they observed how outsourcing crime scene investigations to private agencies, with stringent monitoring and technological integration, efficiently maintains forensic service continuity. Maharashtra deploys dedicated forensic vehicles staffed in shifts, enabling 24/7 coverage, with real-time updates and strict chain of custody protocols to preserve evidence integrity.

Madhya Pradesh aims to pilot this outsourcing approach, starting in Indore and Bhopal, thereby reinforcing the mandate that forensic experts must be present at crime scenes in all applicable cases. Enhanced forensic presence, whether through government recruits or trusted private experts, is key to ensuring precise evidence collection; a cornerstone of robust criminal investigations.

This strategy not only bridges a temporary resource gap but also exemplifies the critical role forensic science plays in upholding justice by improving crime detection and judicial processes across Madhya Pradesh.