Goa on Tuesday moved closer to becoming self-reliant in fo rensic investigations with the launch of a dedicated Forensic Psychology Division and a digital court testi mony facility at the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Verna, a move expected to reduce the State’s de pendence on laboratories outside Goa while speeding up criminal in vestigations and court proceedings. For years, investigating agencies in Goa have had to rely on forensic facil ities outside the State for specialised psychological assessments, often resulting in delays in investigations and the judicial process. The newly established division seeks to bridge that gap by providing advanced fo rensic psychological services within Goa itself.
Developed by the State govern ment at a cost of around Rs 70 lakh, the division is equipped with a Pol ygraph System and a Layered Voice Analyser (LVA), along with supporting infrastructure. Officials said the facility will assist investigators with scientifically validated assessment techniques, support complex crim inal investigations and encourage ethical, evidence-based interroga tion practices. Describing scientific investigation as the cornerstone of a robust crim inal justice system, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said modern forensic capabilities were essential to ensur ing justice and strengthening public confidence in law enforcement. “The government remains com mitted to promoting modern tech nology in policing and forensic sciences while extending full sup port to the Home Department to build a transparent, efficient and cit izen-centric justice system,” Sawant said while inaugurating the facility. He also commended the officers and staff of the Directorate of Fo rensic Sciences for their work and reiterated the government’s commit ment to strengthening institutions such as the National Forensic Scienc es University to build a future-ready law enforcement ecosystem for a safer Goa.
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Complementing the new forensic division is the e-Peshi (Nyay Shruti) Video Conferencing Facility, another initia tive aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal jus tice system. The Directorate inaugurated five dedicated video con ferencing cubicles under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, enabling forensic experts to depose before courts across Goa and the country through secure virtual platforms without travelling to courtrooms. Established at a cost of approximately Rs 41.26 lakh, the facility is expected to reduce travel time for forensic ex perts, minimise disruption to laboratory work and ensure that expert testimony is available to courts without avoid able delays. Together, the two initiatives mark a significant upgrade of Goa’s forensic infrastructure, strengthening both the scientific investigation of crimes and the delivery of fo rensic evidence before courts.
By bringing specialised fo rensic psychology services within the State and digitising courtroom appearances, the government aims to make investigations more efficient, reduce procedural delays and reinforce the role of science in the administration of justice. Chief Secretary V Candavelou, Director of Forensic Sciences Ashutosh Apte, Director of Prosecution Poonam Bharne and other senior government officials attended the inauguration.
