Hyderabad: To improve how DNA evidence is used in criminal cases and to close the gap between scientific developments and their judicial interpretation, the Square Circle Clinic at NALSAR University of Law will now partner Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD). The clinic has signed a three-year agreement with CDFD with an aim to strengthen forensic standards, train legal and scientific professionals, and help courts better understand and rely on DNA-based evidence.“The Indian criminal justice system’s reliance on forensic evidence, particularly DNA evidence, urgently requires bridging the gap between scientific advancements in the laboratory and their interpretation in the courtroom,” said Shreya Rastogi, director (forensics & litigation) at the clinic. The collaboration will focus on key challenges such as lack of laboratory-level validation of protocols, absence of robust quality management systems, gaps in continuous professional development among forensic practitioners, and limited familiarity with forensic evidence within the legal community — all of which affect the reliability and effective use of such evidence.‘Research-driven’“Working with CDFD deepens our commitment to ensuring the use of valid and reliable science within the criminal legal system through research-driven forensic practices grounded in scientific excellence,” Rastogi said.“This collaboration… is critical to ensuring that forensic DNA practice in India advances through scientific research, validated methods, and a strong commitment to quality and reliability,” said Madhusudan Reddy Nandineni, staff scientist and head, Laboratory of DNA Fingerprinting Services at CDFD.Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao, vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, noted that “as forensic evidence assumes a more central role in criminal investigations and trials, it becomes imperative to strengthen standards of admissibility and enhance the capacity of legal professionals to critically engage with forensic science.”From the scientific perspective, professor Ullas Kolthur-Seetharam, director of CDFD, pointed to the broader need for strengthening forensic practice in the country, observing that “while India has made progress in the use of forensic science, important gaps remain in strengthening scientific standards and practices. Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment in training and education. Collaborations such as this are vital for building the next generation of scientists, lawyers, and scholars who can advance rigorous, context-specific forensic practice.”
