HYDERABAD: M.S. Rao, Chief Forensic Scientist, Home Ministry, has said that the potential of forensic science must be harnessed to nip in the bud plans of terrorists, as traditional methods failed to handle them.

Delivering the keynote address at the valedictory of the Forensic Science Forum, held as part of the 93rd Indian Science Congress, here on Friday, he said that forensics was no more viewed as a tool for post-incident analysis. The latest trend was "preventive forensics". It was used as a pre-incident analysing tool to detect/prevent crime. Stating that preventive forensics would play a major role in criminal justice system, Dr. Rao wanted the Government to strengthen forensic technology for a crimeless rural and tribal population.

Taking advantage of the situation in rural areas, it was now feared that the crime base was shifting from urban areas. "These are now going to be breeding grounds for all sorts of criminal and terrorist activities. Forensic planning has to be formulated for rural and tribal population before crime took a deep root in those areas.

Vice-Chancellor NALSAR University Ranbir Singh stressed the need for greater interface between law and various sciences. The university Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics was drafting a DNA profiling bill, providing for an interface between law and forensic science.

DGP Swaranjit Sen said three more forensic science laboratories would be established in the State.

P. Chandrasekharan, former director, Forensic Science Laboratory, Tamil Nadu, advised the police not to replace interrogation with other techniques. K.P.C. Gandhi, director, AP Forensic Science Laboratory, welcomed.

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