TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Goa’s dependence on forensic laboratories outside the State and delay in receiving reports is likely to end from the coming financial year as the State’s lone laboratory at Verna, lying idle for over five years, might begin functioning soon.
In a reply to a question tabled by Taleigao legislator Jennifer Monserrate in the State Legislative Assembly last week, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the forensic science laboratory is likely to be made functional during 2013-14.
The manpower is also taken care of with 26 posts of various ranks being created. The recruitment has already begun, he said.
The posts will include officers to the level of Director, Assistant Director, Scientific Officer, Scientific Assistant, Scientific Assistant-cum-photographer, lab attendant and other administrative staffers.
The state-of-the-art lab has been partially functioning and the process of setting up all its associated wings including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Toxicology as well as specialized labs under one roof, began some months ago. Infrastructure and logistical issues would be the reason cited for delay in starting the lab.
The State government had sanctioned an exclusive forensic lab for Goa in 2001. The building was inaugurated only on February 22, 2008 at Verna but it remained in deplorable condition until a year ago when attention was finally given for its improvements.
The laboratory, as of now, preserves viscera samples ‘intact and safe’ before sending them to forensic labs outside the State.
It’s been over two years or so, overloaded outstation laboratories would refuse accepting viscera samples from Goa. There are often delays in sending and subsequently receiving reports, as the police department make special requests to other laboratories that accept viscera samples on their terms and conditions.
