In a major push to modernize its criminal justice system, the Bihar government has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly expand its network of forensic science laboratories (FSLs). The state aims to increase the number of such facilities from the current four to a total of thirteen, with a goal of making them all fully automated within the next one to two years.
A Transformative Leap for Forensic Capabilities
This expansion is designed to ensure faster and more accurate analysis of evidence, thereby making crime investigation more scientific and effective. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar, this move represents a fundamental shift in the state's investigative framework. He highlighted a critical change under the new criminal laws: FSL teams are now mandated to visit crime scenes for all cases that carry a potential sentence of seven years or more.
This new protocol addresses a significant gap. Under the current practice, only about 10,000 out of an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 serious cases annually receive forensic support. The enhanced infrastructure is expected to bridge this shortfall dramatically.
From One Lab to a Statewide Network
DGP Kumar provided a historical perspective, noting that until 2013, Bihar had only one functional forensic science laboratory, located in Patna. Over the years, this number grew to four, with labs established in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Nalanda. The foundation for the current expansion was laid in 2021 with a notification to set up nine more regional FSLs at range headquarters and district levels.
The administrative and logistical groundwork for this massive upgrade is already in place. The process of constructing buildings, arranging manpower, procuring modern equipment, and recruiting approximately 200 contractual personnel has been completed. The DGP stated that the impact of this capacity enhancement will soon be visible on the ground.
Focus on Cybercrime and Specialized Labs
Recognizing the sharp rise in digital offenses, the state is also bolstering its capabilities in cyber forensics. An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to establish two dedicated cyber forensic labs at the district level. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art cyber lab was inaugurated at the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) premises in 2025.
To tackle complex criminal cases, the state also signed an MoU last year to open a National Forensic Science Lab, which will strengthen both investigations and advanced research.
Rollout Plan and Immediate Milestones
The rollout of the new laboratories will follow a phased approach. The DGP announced that all work on the Purnia Regional FSL has been finished, and it will become fully operational and automated starting February 1. The broader target is to inaugurate a new Regional FSL every three to four months thereafter.
With these 13 fully automated forensic science laboratories set to be functional within the next 24 months, Bihar is poised to transform its criminal investigation process, making it more reliant on scientific evidence and significantly reducing delays in the justice delivery system.
