Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120353640400.htm

New Delhi

CBI’s forensic science lab gets accreditation

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Central Forensic Science Laboratory of the Central Bureau of Investigation has been granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories for forensic testing as per the new version of the standard.

According to a CBI spokesman, the accreditation is in consonance with ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and will be valid till August 17, 2010.

“The new version of the Indian standard is identical to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 prepared by the International Organisation for Standardisation Committee on Conformity Assessment,” said a CBI official here. The Indian standard was first published in 2000 by adopting ISO/IEC 17025:1999. In the first revision, ISO/IEC 17025:2005 has been adopted to make the Indian standard identical to the International Standard.

The CBI official said the accreditation would enhance CFSL’s image at the international level and also help keep improving the performance of the laboratory that was established in 1968. It is said to be one of the most comprehensive laboratories in the country with nine fully equipped divisions of fingerprints, lie-detection, photo and scientific aids divisions besides state-of-the-art laboratories for computer forensics and DNA profiling.

The CFSL also undertakes crime exhibits for scientific analysis referred by the judiciary also.