Forensic experts seek 10 acres in Coimbatore to set up state-of-the-art lab

COIMBATORE: The state government should provide 10 acres in the city to set up a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory, experts at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory at Race Course said.
The lab is functioning in the building belonging to the public health department and the space is not adequate, the experts said. Though a team of forensic experts met district revenue officer Ramadurai Murugan a few weeks ago seeking land for a new facility, the district administration was ready to provide only one acre near Sulur, they said.
“The government should allot the land at Thomas Park in Race Course belonging to the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. We don’t need money from the state government as the Union government is ready to provide more than 100 crore to set up a lab, which will function round-the-clock,” an expert told TOI. “The new facility will be able to analyse DNA samples. Now, DNA retrieved from samples is analyzed in the Chennai forensic lab. We can also set up a training centre to train judicial and police officers. The facility will also house staff quarters and have rooms for trainees.”
Sleuths of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Central Bureau of Investigation and National Investigation Agency had visited the lab at Race Course, the expert said. “RAW officials visited the lab two weeks ago to discuss about the death of Sri Lankan gangster Angoda Lokka.”
The lab started functioning at Race Course in 1974. It has seven divisions. The main division is toxicology, which analyses internal organs like liver and kidneys, and urine and blood. Toxicology experts can detect presence of poisonous substances like pesticides and insecticides. The lab result is given to courts within five days. The lab receives 2,000 viscera every month in connection with cases in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tirupur and Erode.
The prohibition division can analyze illicit liquors including arrack and toddy. The narcotics division can analyze only ganja, not drugs like ketamine, heroin or opium. The biology division can trace blood and semen stain on clothes and weapons, and also hair, saliva and diatom. The serology division can identify animal blood, human blood and bird blood. The computer division can retrieve audio, video and image files from mobile phones and computers. The division is rendering assistance to CBI, NIA and crime branch -CID police. The excise division can analyze and certify liquor made in three distilleries in western Tamil Nadu.