INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICITS IN INDIA’S FORENSIC LABS: CHALLENGES AND REFORMS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY

AUTHOR – AHARSHINI REITA J J* & MS. HEMAVATHY**

* STUDENT AT THE TAMILNADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW

** PROFESSOR AT THE TAMILNADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW

BEST CITATION – AHARSHINI REITA J J & MS. HEMAVATHY, INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICITS IN INDIA’S FORENSIC LABS: CHALLENGES AND REFORMS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (3) OF 2026, PG. 155-168, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

Forensic science serves as the backbone of modern criminal justice, providing scientific evidence essential for conviction and exoneration. However, India’s forensic infrastructure remains critically underdeveloped, posing significant hurdles to effective justice delivery. This assignment examines the systemic infrastructure deficits plaguing India’s forensic laboratories, analysing their profound impact on the judicial process. Despite Supreme Court directives to strengthen forensic capabilities, a stark disparity exists between the volume of cases and available resources. Key challenges identified include severe case backlogs, outdated technological equipment, inadequate funding, and a chronic shortage of trained personnel. These deficits are compounded by regional imbalances, where state-level laboratories often lack the capacity to handle complex DNA or digital evidence, leading to reliance on overwhelmed central facilities. Consequently, prolonged investigations delay trials, erode public trust, and increase the risk of wrongful convictions or acquittals due to insufficient evidence. The lack of standardisation further complicates admissibility in court. To address these issues, the study proposes comprehensive reforms including substantial budgetary allocation for modernisation, the establishment of a unified national forensic network to streamline case processing, and mandatory upgrading of technical standards aligned with international norms. Ultimately, strengthening forensic infrastructure is not merely a technical necessity but a constitutional imperative to uphold the rule of law and ensure equitable criminal justice delivery in India.

Keywords: forensic laboratories, NABL accreditation, case backlog, BNSS 2023, conviction rates, criminal justice reform, forensic independence, rural-urban disparity, DNA evidence, chain of custody.