Govt mulls setting up 10 forensic labs in hospitals to ease pressure

Kolkata: State government is planning to set up as many as 10 forensic laboratories in various medical college and hospitals across the state that will help police to expedite investigation of various cases.

A meeting was recently conducted at Nabanna in this regard. Senior police officers and principals of medical colleges attended the meeting. It was learnt that R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and NRS Medical College and Hospitals in the city are among the front runners to get a forensic laboratory each.

Beliaghata Central Forensic Science Lab is the only centre in the state where all forensic tests are conducted. As a result, investigations get delayed. Various important cases often remain pending.

According to a senior Health department official, two forensic labs may be first established at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital followed by NRS, R G Kar Medical College and Hospital is one of the strongest contenders as the hospital has microbiology and biochemistry departments already. The names of other hospitals are yet to be confirmed.

According to an official from R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, the hospital has basic infrastructure for a forensic lab so it will be easier. A piece of land has already been identified inside the hospital campus. The Health department officials will visit the spot and a survey would soon be conducted in this regard.

A senior official from NRS Medical College and Hospital said: "There is a dire need of setting up of new forensic labs in the state. In some cases samples are sent to Hyderabad which delays in the investigation.

"A new forensic laboratory would soon be constructed at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital to ease out the pressure of Beliaghata Central Forensic

lab. The Forensic labs will be set up in many other medical colleges including NRS Medical College and Hospital," a senior official at the state Health department said.