Forensic Science Laboratory

Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab was established in the year 1980 and the effective crime case work examination started in the year 1981. The laboratory is functioning at sector 9, Chandigarh. It comprises eight divisions - (1) Ballistic (2) Biology (3) Chemistry (4) Documents (5) Photography (6) Physics (7) Serology and (8) Toxicology. Besides main FSL, Punjab, it has mini teaching FSL at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. FSL Punjab has established its excellence in the field of explosives, as a result the services of the laboratory have been utilised from time to time by Central as well as other  State Police Organisations.

Senior scientists of the laboratory have been usefully contributing to the teaching and training program being conducted at PPA, Phillaur, PRTC Jahan Khelan, Commando training centre at Bahadurgarh and CID training school at Chandigarh. The scientists are also invited for delivering expert lectures on specific topics in various central organisations like NICFS, Delhi and NPA Hyderabad.

Scientist at work on H.P.L.C.	F.T.I.R. for chemical analysis of small samples

Apart from scientific help rendered in crime clues examination, the scientists have always been in the pursuit of knowledge and have been contributing in carrying out research on various difficult forensic problems. This has lead in achieving Ph.D. degree to many scientists and at present nine Ph.Ds. in various science subjects are working in the laboratory to provide the best scientific expertise in the field of forensic science for the state of Punjab as well as for  the country.

FSL, Punjab is examining approximately more than 3,000 cases per year and a rare feat of zero pendency level has been achieved. As the saying goes that justice delayed is justice denied, the scientists in FSL Punjab put special efforts to complete the examination within 15 days of the receipt of the case in the laboratory.

E.S.D.A. and microscope for document examination	Microscopes for sorting out fired cartridges

During the militancy period of more than a decade in Punjab, the laboratory has examined practically all the terrorist cases pertaining to shoot outs, blasts, arson, kidnappings, hangings, threatening, etc. The coordination between the police and the forensic scientists lead to the formation of special wing in Punjab Police, which has provided a complete study of threat perceptions from the acquisitions of terrorists in Punjab. The findings of this wing have been collated to the senior police officers to combat terrorism and other governmental authorities were made aware of the requirement of upgrading the facilities of the Punjab Police to meet the challenges and to contain militancy.