Centre lab to bolster forensic capacity as thousands of drug cases await trial
Thiruvananthapuram: The Union government will establish a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Thiruvananthapuram under the National Forensic Infrastructure Development Scheme to ensure faster availability of scientific examination reports in criminal cases, including those involving drugs, officials said on Sunday.
Authorities said efforts are on to identify a suitable plot at Technopark for the laboratory. The move comes against the backdrop of mounting case backlogs: 8,422 drug-related cases are currently pending before trial courts in Kerala, according to official data cited in the announcement.
- The CFSL will provide centralised, advanced forensic services to supplement the state and regional laboratories.
- Scientific examination reports have become mandatory for offences carrying sentences of more than seven years under the revised criminal laws, increasing demand for forensic testing.
- State authorities have previously strengthened staffing at forensic units, but delays in issuing reports remain a concern.
Kerala's principal forensic laboratory is located at the Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, with regional laboratories functioning in Kannur, Thrissur and Ernakulam. The state also maintains district-level forensic facilities and operates 19 mobile forensic units, the statement said.
"At present, 8,422 drug-related cases are pending before trial courts in the state."
Approval has been granted to establish specialised NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, officials added. NDPS courts are already functioning in Kozhikode and Thodupuzha, and new NDPS courts have also been sanctioned for Palakkad, Thrissur and Manjeri.
| Facility | Location / Notes |
|---|---|
| State main forensic laboratory | Police Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Regional laboratories | Kannur, Thrissur, Ernakulam |
| Mobile forensic units | 19 units across the state |
| New CFSL | Planned at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram (under NFIDS) |
Officials said the expansion is intended to reduce the turnaround time for forensic examinations — a key bottleneck in many criminal prosecutions. Under the recent changes in criminal procedure and sentencing, many cases now require mandatory scientific reports; the increased workload has contributed to the backlog of drug cases.
State measures taken earlier included the appointment of additional scientific officers to the government forensic laboratories. Despite these steps, lab officials and law officers have highlighted persistent delays, particularly for complex chemical and narcotics analyses that require specialised equipment and accreditation.
Legal experts and policing authorities have sought greater laboratory capacity and faster report delivery to prevent prolonged pre-trial detention and to expedite trials. The establishment of a CFSL in Thiruvananthapuram is expected to provide access to advanced instrumentation and expert personnel, helping courts dispose of cases more efficiently.
Though the announcement did not provide a timeline for construction or operationalisation, the site identification process at Technopark has begun, officials said. Funding and technical support will be channelled through the National Forensic Infrastructure Development Scheme, a central initiative to modernise forensic facilities nationwide.
Local stakeholders welcomed the decision while noting that infrastructure alone would not be sufficient. They called for adequate staffing, accreditation of laboratory divisions, streamlined sample transport procedures and coordination with the judiciary and police to ensure timely case processing.
As the state scales up enforcement against drug offences, the additional forensic capacity aims to meet growing demand for scientific examinations and to strengthen the criminal justice response to narcotics trafficking and abuse.
