Forensic science is the application of science and technology to the detection and investigation of crime. Forensic science has shaped the world of justice, signifying the examination of crime with the help of modern and advanced technology. Forensic Science Laboratories play a vital role in resolving all civil and criminal cases. The main function of forensic science laboratories is to provide an unbiased scientific opinion on the different types of evidential material referred to them by the investigating agencies and in turn, help the judiciary. These evidence act as mute witnesses against the perpetrators and are impartial. A forensic scientist also helps police in the collection of the right evidence material from the scene of the crime, during the investigation. The Forensic scientists thus form indispensable scientific advisors to the investigation team. Their professionalism ensures that the independence and integrity of findings are in no way compromised by actual involvement in the process.
Forensic Science Laboratory, Mumbai was first established in 1958 at Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals with a handful of experts and staff. Today, Maharashtra FSL has emerged into a full-size 'Directorate' having its headquarters at Santacruz, Kalina, Mumbai. It also has seven Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSLs) at Nagpur (1966), Pune (1979), Aurangabad (1981), Nashik (2004), Amaravati (2008), Nanded (2015) and Kolhapur (2016) and five Mini Forensic Science Laboratories at Chandrapur (2019), Dhule (2019), Ratnagiri (2019), Thane (2019) and Solapur (2020) with total staff strength of 1463. The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories, Maharashtra is a multi-disciplinary organization, well equipped with extremely specialized and rationalized infrastructure of international standards. It is competent in carrying out any challenging scientific work related to crime. The directorate analyses varied crime cases under different laws like I.P.C., Cr. P.C, Indian Arms Act, NDPS Act, Explosive Substances Act, Petroleum Act, Mumbai Police Act, Essential Commodities Act, Bombay Prohibition Act, Motor Vehicle Act, I.T.Act, Wild Life Protection Act, TADA, MCOCA, etc and provide scientific-analytical reports.
