The National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES):

 Why in News ?The National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) is a significant initiative approved  recently by the Indian Union Cabinet to strengthen the country’s forensic science capabilities.

The scheme will be operated by the Union Home Ministry.

• The scheme will be a central sector scheme (100% financed by Central Government) with a total outlay of Rs 2254.3 crores.
• The scheme will run from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Objectives:

1. Establishment of New Campuses and Laboratories:

• The scheme includes the creation of new campuses for the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) across India.
• New Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) will be established to meet the growing demand for forensic services.

1. Enhancement of Existing Infrastructure:

• The infrastructure at the existing Delhi campus of NFSU will be upgraded to enhance its capacity and capabilities.

Functions:

1. Addressing Manpower Shortages:

• The scheme focuses on training and deploying high-quality forensic professionals to address the current shortage in forensic science laboratories (FSLs) across the country.

1. Improving Efficiency and Reducing Case Pendency:

• By expanding the forensic infrastructure, the scheme aims to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting forensic examination, thereby speeding up the criminal justice process.

1. Supporting New Criminal Laws:

• The enactment of new criminal laws, which mandate forensic investigation for offences punishable by seven years or more, has significantly increased the workload of forensic laboratories. The NFIES is designed to support this increased demand and ensure timely forensic analysis.

Expected Outcomes:

• The NFIES aims to ensure a high conviction rate of over 90% by providing timely and scientifically robust forensic evidence.
• By establishing new forensic facilities and enhancing existing ones, the scheme seeks to create a more effective and efficient criminal justice system, leveraging advancements in technology to tackle evolving crime methods​