Forensic laboratory bitten by modernisation bug

The city’s Forensic Laboratory in Kalina has asked the government to import equipment worth Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for its toxicology department in order to minimise risks to staffers.
The lab’s director Dr Rukmini Krishnamurthy says, “Exposure to viscera can prove harmful to those in contact with it. With this equipment, contact will be reduced by 60 to 70 per cent. Therefore, we have decided to ask the Centre to import technology from Dinex, a US firm. Atomisation of viscera distillation will not only protect staffers, but also save time.�
The toxicology department has about 30 staffers. Though authorities refuse to confirm this, lab sources say some staffers have been detected with tuberculosis and five with cancer. “We plan to go in for incineration, so that the staff will not have to handle much biologically,� says Krishnamurthy. “We’ve submitted a list of poisons encountered in India. Basically, separation of these fluids from the viscera will be done automatically by the machine.�
A proposal has also been put up to the state government for risk allowance for staffers. Says Krishnamurthy, “We have asked the government to grant 10 per cent of the basic salary as risk allowance. It’s been pending so far.�
Among other issues, the toxicology department is also facing a huge backlog of cases. Sources say, “We are almost nine months behind. So far, 1,500 cases are pending.�
Toxicology divisions will be set up in all six post-mortem centres in the city. The laboratory will be in charge, and the manpower will be supplied by the state government. This will reduce procedural delays. The laboratory plans to tap to the 20 per cent of modernization funds it is entitled to from the police.
Says Krishnamurthy, “There’s a need to sensitise people and make them aware that forensic science is available to them. Justice can be obtained through science.�
dilnazboga@indiatimes.com