Abstract :
Forensic DNA fingerprinting plays a key role by providing scientific evidence that assists investigating officers in solving criminal cases. It is also helpful to judges while determining the accused’s guilt during the trial process. However, it has raised serious concerns over wrongful convictions based on faulty forensic evidence. In many cases, courts have convicted several individuals based on faulty forensic evidence and later they were released them from prisons based on further DNA tests. Some of the challenges include limitations of forensic DNA fingerprinting techniques, limited Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), shortage of infrastructure facilities, and inadequate staff strength. Additionally, gaps in training and coordination between forensic medicine experts and investigative agencies often affect the quality, reliability, credibility of forensic evidence. Further, the recent enactment of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 has raised complex legal and ethical concerns regarding individual privacy, data security, and the admissibility of DNA evidence in court. This paper aims to explore the legal challenges including validity, reliability, and admissibility of Forensic DNA Profiling techniques in India. It also provides suggestions to enhance the reliability and admissibility of forensic evidence in the court of law.
Keyword :
Forensic DNA fingerprinting, Wrongful convictions, Faulty forensic evidence, Quality assurance, Forensic medicine, Legal challenges.