Legal Desire Forensics
The science that decides who walks free
Forensic science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientifically based information through the analysis of physical evidence. Evidence is collected at a crime scene or from a person, analysed in a laboratory, and the results are presented in court. Every crime scene is unique, and every case brings its own challenges.
534+
Forensic articles published
17
Branches of forensic science covered
25
Expert interviews in Forensic Talk
2019
Forensics desk established
195
Indian Supreme Court judgments in the Forensic Docket
New from the desk
Forensic Docket: 195 Indian Supreme Court judgments on forensic evidence
Sorted into a Case Method Library, a Failure Registry and an MO Archive, each case linked to its own indexed page and to the official judgment. Free and open access to all — other countries’ apex courts are in progress.
Why we built this desk
The role of forensic science in criminal justice and the legal system is highly critical, but it is often underrated.
In a world without forensic science, murderers, thieves, drug traffickers and rapists walk free, while innocent people sit behind bars because an investigation went wrong, whether by accident or by design.
We think that is reason enough to step in and do our bit towards a roadmap for a next generation criminal investigation system, by exploring the possibilities across the explored and the unexplored branches of forensic science. We also run regular panel sessions, workshops and conferences.
What you will find here
Research explainers written by our student editors and contributors, across seventeen branches of forensic science.
Forensic Talk, long-form interviews with scientists, pathologists, police leaders and lab directors from India and abroad.
Casework and policy news, tracking how forensic evidence is shaping real investigations and courtrooms.
Branches of Forensic Science
Pick a branch to see the latest work from our desk. Each one has its own archive.
Swipe the chips to see all 17 branches →
DNA & Forensic Biology
Profiling, serology and bloodstain evidence
5 Oct 2026DNA Phenotyping: Forecasting Appearance and Age Based on Traces of DNA2 Oct 2026How Long Do DNA Test Results Take in a Criminal Case?17 Sep 2026Sanjay Dubey v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr. — DNA testing guidelines — police dereliction for non-compliance17 Sep 2026Paramsivam & Ors. v. State Through Inspector of Police — DNA identification of exhumed remains17 Sep 2026Santosh Kumar Singh v. State through CBI — DNA Evidence Unproved, Circumstantial Chain ConvictionForensic Medicine & Pathology
Autopsy, cause of death, medico-legal practice
13 Oct 2026Rigor, Livor and Algor Mortis: How Experts Estimate Time of Death17 Sep 2026State of Punjab v. Bittu & Anr. Etc. Etc. — Medical evidence contradicting prosecution version; doubtful eyewitnesses17 Sep 2026Krishnegowda & Ors. v. State of Karnataka by Arkalgud Police — Medical evidence & appellate standard for reversing acquittals17 Sep 2026Surendra Paswan v. State of Jharkhand — Absence of bullet’s chemical examination held not fatal to conviction17 Sep 2026K.H. Shekarappa & Others v. State of Karnataka — Medical evidence in custodial death convictionDigital & Cyber Forensics
Devices, data, networks, audio and video
17 Sep 2026Ritesh Sinha v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr. — Voice sample identification3 Aug 20263 Vital Steps for Preserving Electronic Evidence in Civil Lawsuits3 Aug 2026Digital Forensics: Recovery of Deleted Digital Evidence12 Apr 2026Mobile Forensics: Your Smartphone as the Ultimate Witness3 Apr 2026Echoes of Crime: How Sound Wave Analysis Solves Criminal CasesFingerprints & Personal Identification
Prints, footwear, gait, lip and ear patterns
2 Oct 2026How Accurate Is Fingerprint Evidence? What the Research Says18 Aug 2026How Clothing Becomes Forensic Evidence in Criminal Trials: What Someone Was Wearing and Why It Matters to Prosecutors and Defense28 Jul 2026Gait Analysis as Forensic Evidence20 Apr 2026Role of Nanotechnology in Fingerprint development in forensic science27 Mar 2026Tread Pattern Classification: Distinguish Yaw (Curved Turns), Skid (Braking), and Scrub Marks by Width, Voids, and Direction; Cast With Dental Stone for 3D Preservation.Crime Scene Investigation
Securing scenes, collection, chain of custody
5 Aug 2026Crime Scene Photography Standards26 Mar 2026Precision Needed in Evidence Collection: Insights from ACP Geetha Kulkarni20 Mar 2026Revolutionizing Crime Scene Investigations: The Emergence Of New Technologies Of Forensic Investigation.3 Feb 2026Online Crime Scenes Change the Face of Forensic Training in Australia Through Extended Reality (XR) Technology23 Oct 2025Ensuring Integrity: A Guide to Preserving Evidence in Forensic ScienceForensic Toxicology
Poisons, drugs, alcohol and their detection
9 Apr 2026Cannabis Sativa in Forensic Investigation: Types, Products, and Analytical Approaches26 Feb 2026Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: Date Rape Drugs , A Comprehensive Forensic and Toxicological Examination.19 Feb 2026Narcotics Drugs in Forensics: Analytical Review of Narcotics in Forensics.15 Jan 2026The “Cyanide Mallika”: Revisiting India’s First Female Serial Killer26 Sep 2025Emerging Techniques in Forensic Toxicology: Detecting Novel Psychoactive SubstancesAnthropology & Odontology
Skeletal and dental evidence, identification
4 Aug 2026Facial Reconstruction in Unidentified Body Cases8 Apr 2026A Discovery in Long Beach is Shocking: Human Skull is Found in the Easter Egg Hunt, which leads to a forensic investigation.18 Mar 2026Emilio Nuzzolese: “We Need More Forensic Dental and Anthropological Autopsies So That the Unnamed Dead Are Not Forgotten”4 Feb 2026Forensic Odontology: Current Practices, Research Underpinnings, and Future Trends.14 Nov 2025The role of Forensic Anthropology in Mass Disaster Victim IdentificationEntomology, Botany & Microbes
Insects, plants, pollen and microbial traces
9 Jan 2026Small Moss Becomes a Great Assistant in Crime Resolution nowadays.8 Jan 2026Forensic Palynology: The Use of Pollen to Study Crimes and The Environment.6 Nov 2025Microbiome Forensics10 Sep 2025Forensic Entomology: Insects as Silent Witnesses20 Sep 2021Forensic Helpers in Disguise as Insects: Forensic EntomologyTrace Evidence & Chemistry
Fibres, glass, paint, soil, fire and explosives
17 Sep 2026State of Rajasthan v. Jainudeen Shekh & Anr. — Negative FSL result as basis for compensation under s.250 CrPC17 Sep 2026Surendra Paswan v. State of Jharkhand — Absence of bullet’s chemical examination held not fatal to conviction17 Sep 2026Shyam Babu v. State of U.P. — FSL report corroborating eyewitness and medical evidence17 Sep 2026Sanjay Dubey v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr. — DNA testing guidelines — police dereliction for non-compliance17 Sep 2026Promode Dey v. State of West Bengal — Bloodstained weapon recovery & medical evidence corroborating child witnessEmerging Technologies
Nuclear forensics, imaging, AI and instrumentation
28 Sep 2026A Review of Recent Evidence in Forensic Examination of Sexual Assault Cases.12 Aug 2026Forensic Textile Analysis in Insurance Fraud Claims: How Experts Determine Whether Fire or Water Damage to a High-Value Garment Is Genuine9 Oct 2025Revealing the Invisible: The Transformative Role of ELISA in Modern Forensic Investigations31 Dec 2021Application of Argon Ion Laser in Forensic Science10 Nov 2021Radiomics in Forensic ExaminationQuestioned Documents
Handwriting, signatures, forgery and currency
11 Dec 2025Techniques applied in Questioned Document Examination4 Sep 2021Role of Graphology in Forensic Investigation10 Jun 2021Forensic Graphology: Science or Speculation??26 Mar 2021Hesitation in Handwriting: Analysis and Forensic Significance14 Jan 2021Source Identification for Questioned documentsPsychology & Criminal Behaviour
Profiling, polygraph, bias and victimology
17 Sep 2026Selvi & Ors. v. State of Karnataka — Narco-analysis / Polygraph / BEAP27 Jul 2026Polygraph, Narcoanalysis and Brain Mapping: Legal Status in India26 Mar 2026The Silent Witness: India’s First Forensic Dental Database1 Dec 2025Cognitive Bias and Decision-Making in Forensic Practice—Innovation in Training, Testing, and Casework to Minimize Error6 Nov 2020Narco-analysis test & It’s criticismWildlife & Environmental
Science against poaching and eco-crime
20 Apr 2026Mystery in the Core: Forensic Questions Arise Over Pench Tiger Reserve Death7 Jan 2026Silent Witnesses: The Role of Wildlife Forensics in Combating the Illegal Wildlife Trade9 Aug 2025Wildlife Alert: Elephant Tusks Stolen from MTR – Investigation Underway7 Jan 2022“Who are Super Recognizers?”1 Nov 2021Ella Kissi Debrah Death Case: Environmental Forensic for Invisible KillerForensic Evidence & Law
Admissibility, expert testimony, statutes
18 Aug 2026How Clothing Becomes Forensic Evidence in Criminal Trials: What Someone Was Wearing and Why It Matters to Prosecutors and Defense12 Aug 2026Forensic Textile Analysis in Insurance Fraud Claims: How Experts Determine Whether Fire or Water Damage to a High-Value Garment Is Genuine1 Apr 2026Procedural Defenses and Constitutional Rights in Impaired Driving18 Sep 2025Supreme Court Sets Clear Rules for DNA Evidence, Aims to Strengthen the Justice System26 Feb 2024The Crucial Role of Expert Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System: Differentiating Investigation, Charges, and Guilt, and Exploring the DistinctionCareers & Education
Courses, universities, internships, workshops
2 Oct 2026How to Become a Forensic Scientist: Degrees, Skills and Salary19 Dec 2025Scientists at ECU Have Developed an Innovative Forensic Investigation Tool Based on Hair Identification.17 Nov 2025University of Turin Launches “IDENTIKID”. An Identification Form to Support the Search and Identification for Missing Children and Adolescents14 Nov 2025NFSU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vyas Re-Elected to Key International Police Post.17 Oct 2025Chico State Launches New Human Identification Laboratory: A West Coast Hub for Forensic DiscoveryBallistics & Firearms
Firearms, bullets, gunshot residue
12 Feb 2026Science at the Scene: Delhi Police Leverages Forensic Expertise in Bawana Investigation19 Nov 2025Forensic Ballistics and Gun Residue Analysis Using Advanced Spectroscopy14 Nov 2025Forensic Analysis of Glass Fracture Patterns in Firearm Investigations: Insights into Bullet Trajectory and Firing Distance4 Jun 2021Types of Firearms and Firearm Injuries1 Jun 2021Comparison of IBIS and NBISAccounting & Financial Crime
Fraud, laundering and financial investigation
2 Oct 2026What Does a Forensic Accountant Do? Role, Cases and When You Need One7 May 2026Forensic Accounting Fundamentals for Lawyers: A Deep-Dive Guide to Financial Investigation22 Oct 2020Forensic Accounting and Economic Crimes24 Jun 2020Economic Crimes Prevailing In India4 May 2020Case Study on Cambridge Analytica embezzling on Facebook users dataLatest from the Forensics Desk
New research, explainers and analysis
Forensic Talk
In conversation with the scientists, pathologists and investigators doing the work
Emilio Nuzzolese: “We Need More Forensic Dental and Anthropological Autopsies So That the Unnamed Dead Are Not Forgotten”
18 Mar 2026“The “Cyanide Mallika”: Revisiting India’s First Female Serial Killer
15 Jan 2026“In Conversation with Dr. Krishna Vishwanathrao Kulkarni, Rtd. Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Mumbai, Maharashtra
3 Oct 2023Forensic News & Casework
How forensic evidence is shaping live investigations, labs and policy
Team Legal Desire Forensics
The editors behind the desk
Work with the Forensics Desk
We publish student researchers and practitioners, and we run panel sessions, workshops and conferences through the year.
Write for the desk
Are you a forensic science student, researcher or practitioner? Pitch an explainer, a case analysis or a review of an emerging technique.
Submit your workPanels & workshops
We invite experts for panel sessions, workshops and conferences on investigation, evidence and the future of forensic practice.
Invite us or join a panelBe interviewed
Forensic Talk features scientists, pathologists, lab directors and investigators. Tell us about your work and we will get in touch.
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Appreciated by forensic science bodies across the globe
Over the years, forensic science laboratories, universities and professional bodies across India and Italy have written in to recognise Legal Desire Forensics’ work bringing forensic scientists, law students and investigators onto one platform. A selection of those letters is below — unedited sentiment, only the letterhead trimmed for length.
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