By Our Correspondent:

KARACHI: Forensic science is an important modern age tool for solving criminal cases, therefore, training of the crime scene investigators bears immense significance for the proper collection of evidence that helps the dispensation of justice in its true spirit.

These views were expressed by Director International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary while speaking at a training session organised for the Crime Scene Unit of Sindh Police.

The event was organised by Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), which was attended by more than 25 crime scene investigators. The training session was conducted by Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, Dr Nouman Rasool and Afzaal Hussain Shah.

Dr Choudhary said this field of applied science has gained much attention recently in most of the criminal and civil matters, adding that integrity and proper training of the crime scene investigators will make them an asset to the judicial system. He appreciated the keen interest of participants in the session.

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, Project Director SFDL, briefly described the establishment of the state-of-the-art facility of forensic DNA analysis which has been developed as per the international standards containing qualified and trained staff and highly advanced technology.

“SFDL is third forensic DNA laboratory in Pakistan and first in Sindh to assist law enforcement agencies of the province in crime scene investigation, and to perform forensic DNA and serology analysis of a wide spectrum of criminal and civil cases,” he said.

Dr Ishtiaq said that the training session was arranged to improve theoretical knowledge and practical handling of personnel for collection and handling of biological evidence at a crime scene.

Afzaal Hussain Shah conducted a detailed interactive discussion on crime scene investigation in various types of possible crime scenarios. Dr Nouman Rasool answered queries of the participants during the session.

A practical session was also arranged at a mock crime scene of SFDL to practically explain the different skills used in crime scene investigation.

SFDL, which set up at the Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genome Research, works as a part of the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, said a press release.