An interview with Dr. P. Chandra Sekharan, Prof. of Forensic Sciences at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore

An interview with Dr. P. Chandra Sekharan, former Director of the Forensics Department Tamil Nadu, and currently Professor of Forensic Sciences at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.

What are the job opportunities available for forensic scientists in India?

Until recently, job opportunities for forensic scientists were confined to 25 odd state forensic laboratories, the four central laboratories and the forensic science services. The trend however has changed and during the past ten to fifteen years, independent practitioners have emerged, at least in civil cases. Even these independent experts happened to be scientists who had already served and retired from government service.

There are ample opportunities for young talented scientists to take up forensic science as a profession, provided the Indian universities are forthcoming to impart quality education and training. At present, the number of practitioners available in this country is very insignificant compared to the very huge number of legal practitioners.

Forensic science education is available in only four or five universities in India. In USA, there are more than ninety institutions offering various courses suitable for investigators, lawyers, and independent practitioners. While I am proud about converting the TN Forensic Science Department into a single faculty college, offering MSc and PhD programs in the subject, I was very much distressed at attitude of the government. In the early nineties the government had refused to establish such a PG centre even though the Senate, Syndicate and the Academic Council had passed a unanimous resolution to that effect. By this time the institution could have produced a sizeable number of talented professionals.

What is the role of the forensic scientist in the Indian judicial system?

Forensic scientists are mostly produced as prosecution witnesses and the courts have to rely on them by cross- examining them. The practice of defense producing their own forensic scientist or the court consulting their own listed experts is not very much in vogue in India. In my opinion, there is a dire need to bridge the communication gap that presently exists between lawyers, judges and forensic scientists. An intelligent evaluation of the scientist's data and any subsequent testimony that may follow, again depends on the judges' familiarity and understanding of the principles of forensic science.

Many law practitioners profess ignorance of the subject or at best attempt to gain a superficial understanding before meeting the expert witness. To meet this challenge NLSIU has initiated the establishment of a research, training and consultancy center. Forensic science consultancy is essential for law practitioners not only in matters relating to criminal law, but also in civil disputes and regulatory law violations.

You have been the Director of the State Forensic Department, Tamil Nadu. What is the standard of its facilities?

In Tamil Nadu, forensic science service is good and comparable to similar services in England, Europe, USA and Australia. The scientists are more independent as the department is not administered by the police and they are consulted even during the early stages of crime investigation.

What is DNA profiling and is it used in India to solve crimes?

DNA profiling is based on the characterisation of de ox ribonucleic acid. It is unique to each individual as fingerprints and is used in paternity cases. This technology was however found to be less satisfactory in forensic situations, where, the samples are inadequate and the quality poor. Therefore a new technology was developed to replicate the inadequate sample, by synthesising new DNA from the existing one to obtain sufficient quantities for analysis. This technique is called Polymerase Chain Reaction and the testing PCR is known as PCR-STR (short tandem repeat). It can produce quick, valuable results with degraded specimens. It is a powerful technique and helps establish identities to a high degree of certitude. This technique was initially a manual process but is now automated.

However, crime scenes are rarely thrown open to Indian forensic scientists. The investigators here do not undertake such detailed investigations as we see on the Discovery Channel. For example, the Rajiv Gandhi assassination and a few other cases are an exception. Forensic scientists here are asked by the police mostly to detect blood on the objects picked up by them.

Can you tell us more about some of your experiences in the field?

I have spent a thrilling 35 years in this field. Even today, I undertake scientific investigations, handle exhibits, analyse and make reports. In the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, I was handling the entire crime scene examination from the beginning. I reconstructed the scene of the blast with all the minute details and submitted a 100-page report with nearly 100 illustrations and photographs to CBI and the Verma Commission. I had to identify the design of the bomb, the nature and quantity of explosives and steel pellets used, the number of detonators etc.

I also went to Bangalore to identify Sivarasan and Suba. For this I had developed a new technique of preparing life-size head models of them called electronic skull identification device. In another case one of the rare Chola bronze statuette belonging to the Pathur Shiva temple of Tanjore district was smuggled to London and was seized by Scotland Yard. The Tamil Nadu police on the basis of my iconometric studies, soil analysis and termite evidence, recovered it.

How tough is the job and what about job satisfaction? The job is really tough but exciting too. Mental strength is required more than physical strength. There is immense job satisfaction as you are serving the justice administration system, and your opinion will decide the guilt or innocence of a fellow citizen.

MALINI SURYANARAYANAN

malini-s@indiainfo.com