Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Staff Shortage Challenges Madhya Pradesh Forensic Labs and Evidence Law
Madhya Pradesh does not have enough forensic experts for its crime laboratories.
The department has 240 experts, but 2,003 posts are sanctioned.
Police forensic vans can visit crime scenes, but they do not have enough experts to do the work.
This shortage is making it harder to put a new evidence law into practice.
That law allows electronic and digital records to be used as evidence under broader rules.
Police Headquarters plans to get help from technicians at National Forensic University in Gujarat.
The state will pay for their services while it works on hiring more staff.
The article says recruitment can take two or more years.
Madhya Pradesh forensic labs have 240 staff against 2,003 sanctioned posts, about 10% of the required strength.
The shortage is affecting implementation of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which expands the acceptance of electronic and digital records as evidence.
The state has around 61 forensic vans, but the article says they lack enough competent experts.
Police Headquarters plans to use technicians from National Forensic University in Gujarat while the state completes recruitment.
Officials said recruitment could take two or more years, while existing staff face heavy workloads and court deadlines.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh forensic laboratories and Police Headquarters.
- What
- A major staff shortage is affecting forensic work and implementation of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
- When
- The article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Only 240 experts are working against 2,003 sanctioned posts, leaving staff and forensic vans short of expertise.
- Working experts
- 240
- Sanctioned posts
- 2,003
- Staffing level
- Barely 10% of sanctioned strength, according to the article
- Forensic vans
- Around 61 operating across the state
- Planned support
- Police Headquarters plans to use technicians from National Forensic University in Gujarat and pay for their services.
- Recruitment timeline
- The process usually takes two or more years, according to the article.
- Evidence law
- The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.