Crime detection and forensic investigations in Goa just got a lot easier and possibly quicker. The chief minister inaugurated two District Mobile Forensic Units (DMFU), for north and south Goa, which were acquired for Rs 64 lakhs, part of the Rs 10 crore corpus given to Goa by the centre. Each DMFU contains 21 different crime detection kits and can now collect evidence and data, not just quicker but in a more scientific way than what is being done now.
Crime detection in Goa has needed an upgrade for a long time now, as crimes have not just increased but the severity too has certainly gone up. People have been asking for a laboratory for years, instead of having to send evidence and viscera samples to Hyderabad. The laboratory is Goa should become functional by March next year; this is a good sign.
But, one of the biggest obstacles that the government will have to overcome, is the availability of trained staff to main these two DMFUs and the forensic laboratory. They have been struggling to fill posts for a while now. Around 25 positions are being filled through the Goa Public Service Commission but there is still a long way to go before the State produces adequate and well-trained personnel to man all these posts. Perhaps there is a need to get senior and experienced staff from elsewhere to mentor and train Goan personnel.
For crime detection though, this is a giant leap forward.
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