Former ASG Pinky Anand launches SOP for forensic evidence collection in sexual assault cases

Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India Pinky Anand recently suggested a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the collection of forensic evidence in cases of violence against women..The SOP sets out the best practices to be followed while collecting and processing forensic evidence in sexual assault and rape cases to ensure that evidence remains preserved."It is necessary to reiterate and re-emphasize the need for prompt and effective investigation and prosecution of rape cases to secure a better conviction rate," the SOP document emphasises.It also attempts to balance the need for quick evidence collection with the need to support the traumatised and often grievously injured survivors. .Titled 'Standard Operating Procedure on Collection and Processing of Scientific/Forensic Evidences in Sexual Assault Cases on Women', the document was drafted and released by a team chaired by Anand and comprising Advocates Balendu Shekhar, Saudamini Sharma, Pallavi Chopra and Gauri Goburdhun as well as former Director General of Police (DGP) Keshav Kumar, Professor of Natural Sciences Dr. Robert Green, and National Forensic Sciences University Director Naveen Chaudhary..The SOP was launched on April 26 (World DNA day) at the Police Headquarters in Panjim, Goa. Bombay High Court Justices Bharti Dangre and Nivedita Mehta, and Goa DGP Alok Kumar were present at the event..Speaking at the launch event, Anand emphasised that having the best practices in place for the collection of forensic evidence is crucial for delivering justice to victims of rape and sexual assault.“The correct use of forensics in investigating heinous crimes such as rape and sexual assault can be decisive in delivering justice for victims. Our nation has made huge strides in the field of forensics, and our new criminal laws reflect and integrate its importance in investigating. To that end, I have prepared best practice guidelines to ensure that evidence gets from crime scene to court room in a manner that ensures that the evidence is collected and transferred, uncontaminated and so that justice can be done. I cannot think of a better place to pilot this initiative than Goa – the SOPs guidelines are for Goa state and law enforcement authorities to enforce and refine. I would like to thank all participants and in particular Justice Bharti Dangre, Justice Nivedita Mehta, DGP Alok Kumar for their support and participation.".Beginning with a series of roundtables in January 2024, the team that drafted the SOP interacted with stakeholders who took a victim-centric approach to gender-based crimes. This was followed by a forensics workshop in December 2024, which brought together eminent experts from the police, medical profession, prosecution, judiciary and academia. They looked at every step in the chain of forensics custody - from the crime scene to the courtroom..At the launch event, DGP Kumar, who signed the SOP, pointed out that the guidelines would help Goa Police keep the coastal state a safe travel destination for all.Goa Director of Prosecution Poonam Bharne added that Goa is well equipped to be the pilot the initiative. Dean of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Dr Lokesh Chauhan also lauded the new SOP as being a valuable step in standardising forensic procedures..[Read SOP]