Forensic science has emerged globally as a cornerstone of reliable criminal investigations in an era where criminal sophistication has escalated. However, in Pakistan, the integration of forensic tools into the justice system remains regrettably underutilized, plagued by structural inefficiencies, inadequate training, political interference, and limited access to advanced technology. Despite sporadic attempts to modernize forensic capabilities, the criminal justice system continues to rely heavily on outdated and fallible investigative methods. This editorial discusses the missed potential of forensic science in Pakistan, explores the systemic challenges hindering its application, presents real-world examples and reports, and offers recommendations for bridging the gap between science and justice.
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To understand the shortcomings of forensic science in criminal investigations, it is essential to take a cursory look at the condition of forensic science in Pakistan. To begin with, it is the application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes and assist in delivering justice. Globally, it has become a vital component in detecting and prosecuting criminal activity, from homicide and sexual assault to financial crimes and cyber offences. Moreover, DNA analysis, ballistics, fingerprint examination, digital forensics, and toxicology are among the many disciplines that offer irrefutable evidence to identify perpetrators and exonerate the innocent.
Despite some progress, the field is still struggling to gain traction in Pakistan. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), forensic evidence is utilized in less than 10% of criminal trials in the country. While institutions like the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory exist, their reach and impact are minimal in rural and underdeveloped regions. Moreover, the absence of standardized protocols, frequent political meddling, and the lack of coordination between investigative agencies and forensic experts render the process inconsistent and unreliable, reflecting the broader challenges of criminal investigation in Pakistan.
One of the most prominent factors in this case is underfunding and poor infrastructure outside major cities, despite establishing a few state-of-the-art forensic facilities. To illustrate, the PFSA in Lahore is one of the most advanced in South Asia, equipped with modern laboratories and skilled staff. Yet, its services are largely confined to Punjab, and provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lack equivalent facilities or have rudimentary setups that fail to meet global standards.
Moreover, a report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in 2022 noted that 70% of police stations in rural Pakistan do not have access to basic forensic kits, let alone advanced labs. The deficiency leads to a heavy reliance on eyewitness accounts and confessions, which are prone to coercion and inaccuracy. Therefore, the underdeveloped forensic infrastructure continues to handicap the pursuit of justice across the country.
Another major obstacle is the acute shortage of forensic scientists and technicians. Most graduates from forensic science programs in Pakistani universities do not find employment in the field due to limited job opportunities, while existing professionals often work without continual training or international exposure. According to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), only 3 out of 1000 graduates in forensic sciences end up working in accredited laboratories. Additionally, a 2021 internal audit of the PFSA revealed that more than 20% of positions remained vacant due to a lack of qualified applicants. The shortage is even more stark in digital forensics and cybercrime, where trained experts are virtually non-existent in the public sector. Thus, without a pipeline of well-trained professionals, even the most modern forensic facilities will fall short of their potential, rendering technology ineffective in the absence of human expertise.
Adding more to it, the core issue lies in the discontent between the police force and forensic agencies. Often, police officers are unaware of when and how to collect and preserve evidence for forensic analysis. Similarly, crime scenes are frequently contaminated due to ignorance, negligence, or corruption, thereby rendering evidence inadmissible in court. A 2020 study by the UNDP titled “Justice for All” revealed that in over 65% of murder cases, police failed to secure the crime scene or collect physical evidence properly. The same report also emphasized the lack of standardized procedures among law enforcement agencies regarding evidence handling. Hence, there is a dire need for procedural integration and training between forensic labs and law enforcement to protect the pieces of evidence in the best way possible.
Further, the legal and judicial system in Pakistan remains ill-equipped to deal with forensic evidence. Judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers are often unfamiliar with the scientific basis of forensic reports and lack the training to interpret them effectively. As a result, even conclusive forensic findings are dismissed or undervalued in court proceedings. For instance, in the 2018 case of Zainab Ansari’s murder in Kasur, it was only due to immense public pressure and external forensic support that DNA evidence was collected and processed in time. Such high-profile cases are exceptions; in most instances, DNA reports remain unutilized or are delayed for months due to bureaucratic hurdles. In the end, unless legal actors are educated in forensic methodologies and the judiciary adopts scientific evidence as a standard, justice will continue to be compromised by ignorance.
Unfortunately, political interference continues to plague forensic investigations, especially in high-stakes or politically sensitive cases. Investigations are often manipulated to shield powerful individuals, and forensic reports are delayed, altered, or disregarded altogether. An investigation by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) in 2021 found that nearly 30% of forensic reports in high-profile cases were either never submitted or mysteriously disappeared during court proceedings. Moreover, whistleblowers in forensic labs have repeatedly reported pressure from politicians to manipulate findings. Consequently, political interference severely undermines the credibility of forensic science, turning what should be objective evidence into a tool of coercion and cover-up.
Despite the shortcomings of forensic science in Pakistan, there remains a ray of hope by taking pragmatic steps. To revitalize forensic science in the criminal justice system of Pakistan, it is imperative to invest in decentralized and well-equipped forensic laboratories across all provinces, modeled after the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA). Simultaneously, the government must prioritize capacity building by introducing nationwide training programs for forensic professionals, crime scene officers, prosecutors, and judges, in collaboration with international forensic institutions.
Additionally, a standardized Crime Scene Management Manual and evidence collection protocols should be implemented in all police stations to reduce contamination and ensure coordination between field units and labs. Without synchronized operations, even the best technology will fail to deliver justice.
Moreover, judicial understanding of scientific evidence must be enhanced through targeted workshops, while cyber forensic units must be expanded to meet the demands of digital investigations. Forensic agencies must be granted legal autonomy to protect them from political interference, with legislation ensuring oversight through independent statutory frameworks. Finally, public awareness campaigns can highlight the role of science in ensuring justice, creating civic pressure on institutions to replace torture-based interrogations with evidence-based prosecution. If these reforms are adopted, Pakistan can transform forensic science from a missed opportunity into a central pillar of justice, transparency, and accountability.
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Critically, while Pakistan has made strides in forensic science with facilities like the PFSA, these are token advancements in an otherwise stagnant system. The disconnect between forensic capabilities and their practical deployment is not merely a technological gap but a systematic one, rooted in administrative dysfunction, legal inertia, and political meddling. Forensic science, which should be the backbone of credible investigations, is relegated to ceremonial use, failing to drive real transformation in justice delivery. Without addressing institutional malaise and promoting scientific literacy within legal and investigative domains, forensic advancements will remain cosmetic rather than catalytic.
In summary, the promise of forensic science in transforming Pakistan's criminal justice system remains largely unrealized. While modern laboratories and international collaborations offer a glimmer of hope, the broader landscape is marred by inadequate funding, lack of skilled personnel, poor coordination, judicial ignorance, and political interference. Each of these factors contributes to a justice system that frequently fails its citizens, allowing criminals to walk free and the innocent to suffer. However, to truly benefit from forensic advancements, Pakistan must institutionalize forensic practices, train its workforce, insulate investigations from political pressure, and embed scientific evidence within the legal framework. Only then can forensic science evolve from a missed opportunity into a cornerstone of justice.
