Shimla: A month-long fingerprint training programme organised at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Junga concluded on Wednesday, with participation from 10 police investigation officers from different districts of Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Meenakshi Mahajan, Director of Forensic Services, said the training focused on collection, analysis and presentation of fingerprint evidence in courts during criminal investigations.
During the programme, officers were trained in crime scene fingerprint collection techniques, fingerprint analysis and procedures related to proving forensic evidence during trial proceedings.
The participants were also given detailed training on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), Morpho enrolment software application, the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1972, and the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
Officials said the training covered various aspects of fingerprint science, including search slips, record slips, prisoner slips and sample slips, along with fingerprint photography and methods used for developing latent and accidental fingerprints.
The officers were also trained in handling fingerprints of suspects, convicted persons, acquitted individuals and traced persons, besides precautions to be taken while preparing fingerprint slips.
Dr. Mahajan said special sessions were conducted on enrolment procedures followed across Himachal Pradesh districts, handling of fingerprints with blood stains, visible and plastic fingerprints, and precautions to be observed while preparing records of prisoners released from jails.
She further said that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) currently maintains and operates criminal records across the country and that all states are connected to the bureau through NAFIS and MCU systems for identification and matching of criminals using fingerprint records.
According to officials, the trained investigation officers will now be capable of providing services in proficient branches established at district headquarters for fingerprint identification and criminal record verification.
