3-Day International Forensic Science Summit Opens in Lucknow, Boosts UP's Leadership in Cyber & Forensic Innovation

The 3-day International Forensic Science Summit began today at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), Lucknow, a major hub in India's push towards scientific crime research and cyber security. The summit, graced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has more than 100 officials and participants from India and across the globe to share the latest trends in cybercrime, forensic science, and new legal frameworks.

UP's Growing Forensic Laboratories

The event coincides with the 3rd foundation day of UPSIFS and underscores Uttar Pradesh's rise as a national power in forensic science and cybercrime investigation. UPSIFS, a center of innovative learning and research, and a prominent component of the state government's zero-tolerance policy towards crime as well, has seen speedy growth ever since its launch in 2024. The institute is now a Nodal Centre of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, and is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.

Recent UP Advancements in Forensics

1. Technological Upgrades: The CM, Yogi Adityanath,  inaugurated Drone and DNA Labs at UPSIFS, the crucial instruments for today's forensic investigations.
2. Forensic Vans Rollout: Recently purchased forensic vans have been rolled out to all 75 UP districts to assist local police for swift evidence collection and analysis.
3. Lab Expansion: The forensic infrastructure of the state has expanded from four labs to 12 since 2017 with new centers in Jhansi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Bareilly, Gonda, Aligarh, and Moradabad. Six more labs will be set up in Ayodhya, Basti, Banda, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Saharanpur, with even wider coverage and quicker analysis of evidence.
4. Digital Tracking & National Leadership: As the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) is completely implemented in 98 locations, UP is now the leader in digitized fingerprint records with nine STF units, one ATS unit, and 12 GRP units producing more than 4.14 lakh fingerprints digitized.

What’s Happening at the Summit?

The conference is based on "Dimensions of Cyber Warfare: Multilateral Legal Frameworks, Forensics & Strategic Countermeasures." Sessions cover cybercrime, deepfake and bot detection, information and cognitive warfare, cryptocurrency investigation, and the judicial application of forensic science.

The meet is meant to increase international collaboration, build India's next-generation forensic leaders, and catalyze UP's success. Over 1,000 attendees, like policymakers, global CEOs, legal influencers, researchers, and police chiefs, are expected to gather.

Impact on Young People and Career Seekers

The initiative of the government has opened new avenues for youth and forensic science enthusiasts, who are now being given top-class training, state-of-the-art research facilities, and traineeships in UPSIFS and state networks. The exercise of the state to employ well-trained forensic personnel is creating future-proof investigatory personnel equipped to deal with new legal standards under NAFIS and new criminal law codes (BNS, BNSS, and BSA, 2023). 

Strengthened Justice Delivery

With the increase in forensic capacity and the integration of technology with policing, investigations are less delayed, and evidence is being brought to courts faster, with convictions occurring faster and public trust in the police also increasing. Furthermore, the modernization of fingerprinting and the inclusion of new forensic technology have made UP the best state of forensic innovation in India.