NT Reporter
Panaji
A day-long training workshop was held in Goa on Saturday to strengthen the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the collection of forensic evidence in cases of rape, sexual assault and child abuse, and support their effective implementation in practice.
The workshop was chaired by Dr Pinky Anand, former Additional Solicitor General of India, and facilitated by (Retd), former DGP, Gujarat, Dr Keshav Kumar and Dr Robert Green OBE, Professor of Forensic Sciences.
The workshop followed the formal launch by Anand of the SOPs for the collection of forensic evidence in cases of sexual and gender-based violence to mark World DNA Day last year at the Police Headquarters
in Panaji, Goa, on April 26. The SOPs are designed to strengthen the collection, handling and presentation of forensic evidence to support fairer and more effective justice for survivors of gender-based violence and have been expanded to cover forensic evidence handling for child
abuse victims.
The workshop brought together frontline police officers, prosecutors, judicial officers, medical practitioners and other professionals involved in the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence and child abuse cases.
A central theme was the importance of a victim-centred approach to cases of sexual assault and gender-based violence. Participants discussed the need for coordination across the criminal justice system to ensure survivors are treated with dignity and sensitivity, while evidence is collected and presented in a manner that supports both due process and access to justice.
The training emphasised the importance of consistently applying the SOPs and provided participants with a practical, step-by-step understanding of best practices in the collection, preservation, chain of custody and presentation of forensic evidence in court. Through case studies and practical discussions, participants explored how effective handling and presentation of forensic evidence can contribute to fair trials and strengthen criminal justice outcomes for victims of sexual violence.
The workshop also highlighted the role of legal practitioners in presenting forensic evidence effectively in court.
Medical experts shared insights into the collection and processing of forensic evidence, including the practical and technical considerations that can affect its reliability and evidentiary value.
