FORENSIC SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: ADMISSIBILITY, RELIABILITY, AND PROCEDURAL DELAYS

Abstract

Forensic science has emerged as an indispensable pillar of modern criminal investigations, transforming the administration of justice from subjective eyewitness testimony toward objective, scientifically validated truth-seeking. By bridging the gap between empirical science and legal adjudication, forensic disciplines—ranging from DNA profiling and digital forensics to ballistic analysis and forensic pathology—provide courts with the evidentiary precision necessary to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. However, the integration of forensic science into criminal justice systems frequently encounters complex challenges concerning evidentiary admissibility, scientific reliability, and severe procedural delays. This comprehensive article evaluates the evolving role of forensic science in criminal investigations, adopting a constructive, forward-looking perspective that highlights remarkable technological advancements  and the years preceding it. By examining landmark judicial precedents, statutory reforms such as the enactment of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and advancements in forensic infrastructure, this study explores how legal and scientific communities are actively collaborating to overcome backlogs and enhance reliability. Ultimately, the paper argues that continuous technological innovation, mandatory accreditation of forensic laboratories, and streamlined procedural protocols will foster a robust, transparent, and highly efficient criminal justice ecosystem.