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The Nutritional Supplements Testing Centre at National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), known as the Centre of Excellence in Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons (CoE-NSTS), has been formally recognized and nominated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (YAS Ministry) for its outstanding contribution to safe sports nutrition. This is a significant move that will provide Indian sportsmen with access to scientifically validated, internationally approved supplements that will minimize the possibility of unintentional doping and dangerous health consequences.

What Is the Nutritional Supplements Testing Centre?

The Centre is a specialized laboratory in Gujarat, developed through a collaboration between NFSU, FSSAI, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It tests and certifies nutritional supplements for the sports community, following strict standards such as ISO 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015, and ensures products do not contain World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-banned substances.

Why Does it Qualify as a Breakthrough?

The lab is officially approved and is listed as a National Testing and Referral facility, the reports of which are now considered authoritative within the sports bodies of India.

Supplements analyzed here are confirmed to be safe, of good quality and free of any harmful or prohibited additives, protecting athletes against unintended doping, and protecting health.

Recently, several popular products including, key proteins and vitamins, have received NFSU "Trusted Certification," allowing their packaging to carry the official logo and boosting confidence for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Athletes- and Sports-related benefits to India

• Reliable scientific testing: Athletes can now drink supplements knowing that they are of the best quality and that they do not contain any banned substances.
• Boost for Fair Play: This campaign advances fair sports, providing the playing ground a level playing field.
• Less risk: When athletes use certified supplements, they get the chance to avoid health complications or inadvertent positive doping outcomes. 

The sports industry in India is expanding rapidly and international sporting events require international standards of training. With the NFSU's Nutritional Supplements Testing Centre now recognized and nominated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the nation moves closer to its goal of safe sports and self-reliance ("Atmanirbhar Bharat"). The Centre will keep testing, certifying and creating awareness- when it comes to product choices by athletes, coaches and families, the Centre will be able to help them make their final decisions entirely in confidence. 

A recent post shared by NFSU on X announced that National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Goa campus will host a three-day Research and Skill Development Programme (RSDP) on Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity and Forensic Science between September 15 and 17, 2025. The conference will be organized in a hybrid format with the possibility of attending both online and face-to-face meetings, mainly focusing on faculty members, researchers, and specialists in the same sphere.

RSDP will provide the participants with current research methods and effective skills oriented on the uses of AI within the rapidly developing sectors of cybersecurity and forensic science. With the evolution of cyber threats, the analysis of digital evidence becoming an important part of the forensic procedure, and both academic and practical applications within the context of the security and law enforcement domains, these interdisciplinary insights are essential to the development of the field of study and potential practical applicability.

3-day Programme Schedule

The programme will consist of expert-led workshops covering themes like AI algorithms to detect threats, cyber-attack prevention techniques, digital forensics practices, and how AI-based tools may be integrated into the investigative process. The participants will enjoy interactive workshops, case studies and discussions that will help them to increase their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The focus of NFSU Goa on this topic testifies to the increased importance of artificial intelligence in ensuring the security of digital infrastructure and intensifying forensic investigations. This project is part of the overall mission of NFSU to promote state-of-the-art education, research and training in the field of forensic and security science. 

All the passionate students and individuals who wish to know more about the Research and Skill Development Programme or want to register, can get the full details on the official registration portal at https://rsdp-nfsu.streamlit.app/.

To register, the fee is as follows: 

• Academicians / Govt. Professionals : INR 1000
• Research Scholars : INR 500
• Online Participants : INR 500
• Industry Professionals : INR 1500
• International Participants : USD 25

The National Forensic Sciences University remains the leading forensics and cybersecurity teaching venue in India and has been conducting such focused programmes to address the gap between academic research and industry needs. This next event promises to be very informative and offer a net-working platform to individuals who are committed in these vital and rapidly expanding areas.

In a significant step towards strengthening forensic capabilities in law enforcement, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) recently conducted a comprehensive training programme on ‘Forensic Science’ for 30 Deputy Superintendents of Police from Bihar. The event was conducted between August 18 and 22, 2025, to cascade high-level abilities and knowledge in forensics to senior police officers to improve their efficiency in criminal investigations.

The five-day training covered main forensic skills and practical applicability to current policing. Officers were trained in scientific techniques for crime scene investigation, evidence collection and preservation, forensic analysis methods, and interpretation of forensic data. The aim of the course was to empower Deputy Superintendents to more clearly incorporate forensic science in the investigative plans and decision-making course of action.

NFSU is an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and is renowned for pioneering education and research in forensic sciences. The specialised training conducted by NFSU is in line with its vision to improve the forensic capabilities of the law enforcement agencies all over India and promote a higher level of justice delivery.

The program also gave the participants a chance to interact with the expert faculty, in the laboratory, as well as discuss case studies that depict the important input of forensic science in resolving crimes. Such capacity-building programmes assist in closing the knowledge gap between the innovative developments in the world of science and their real-world application, in practice, within police communities.

Bihar Police leadership facilitated the training and are appreciative of the forensic skills investment in their officers, aware that highly trained police will enhance investigation, speed up proceedings and gain confidence among the citizens. 

This initiative demonstrates the efforts and collaboration of NFSU and state police courses to build skilled forces well-versed at using advanced forensic tools aiding investigation and delivering justice faster. As the field of forensic science is evolving faster, such events and initiatives are vital to keep the law enforcement personnel up-to-date with best practices and ever-evolving technologies. 

To conclude, the recently conducted NFSU’s forensic science training for Bihar Police Deputy Superintendents is a remarkable step towards  building stronger ties between real-world-policing challenges and forensic science education India. This contributes to a more scientific approach in crime investigation and the effectiveness of law enforcement in Bihar, India. 

In forensic science, "touch DNA" has proved to be a central method of identifying suspects. All human beings involuntarily shed skin cells wherever they come into contact, depositing extremely tiny biological traces behind them. Fresh trail-blazing research is describing how people vary in the amount of skin and cell DNA they shed, often referred to as their "shedder" profile, and how this information can aid criminal investigations.

What Is a 'Skin Shedder' Profile?

Scientists have discovered that individuals shed skin cells and DNA at incredibly variable levels. Some individuals are "high shedders," leaving copious skin cells on surfaces they come into contact with, while other individuals are "low shedders," leaving fewer cells. This range affects the detection and identification of DNA evidence that is gathered at crime scenes.

Groundbreaking researchers at Flinders University in Australia have developed a powerful scientific method to measure the "shedder status" of a suspect using a novel cell staining method. In a trial on 100 individuals, they confirmed that each person always sheds the same number of skin cells regardless of sampling time, and that men shed more cells than women. The important thing is that it does not matter which hand an object is held in—shedding is symmetrical either way.

Why is 'Shedder Status' Important in Forensics?

Traditional DNA profiling can identify whether a person's DNA has been present but not why or how it was present. For instance, an identification of a suspect's DNA on the scene of a weapon can be challenged if the person says they only briefly touched the object or was not involved in a crime.

A suspect's shedder profile is useful information. If you are a high shedder, it is easy to transfer your DNA, and it would account for DNA found at a place where you did not extensively touch. Low shedders, on the other hand, would not leave significant DNA where they extensively handled items. This provides forensic specialists with the ability to estimate the probability of DNA presence using a "likelihood ratio," providing courts with more precise evidence of a suspect's involvement in a crime.

This study is particularly useful in identifying suspects and cracking cases in which "competing DNA evidence" previously muddled investigations.

New Developments in Skin and Touch DNA Profiling

In addition to the quantitation of shedder status, forensic scientists are also developing accurate detection of skin cells themselves. Skin cell-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) markers have, for the first time, been detected, enabling tests to determine whether DNA recovered from samples specifically derives from skin. This method, reported in forensic biology journals, increases accuracy in the identification of biological material, differentiating skin from other body fluids and tissues.

Additionally, new studies target structural proteins and carbohydrate marks on skin cells, improving detection of latent "touch DNA" on surfaces, after prolonged outdoor exposure.

Real-Life Applications and Future Applications

Knowing and using "skin shedder" profiles can:

• Help reduce investigation times by concentrating on suspects that have similar DNA profiles to shedder patterns.
• Help reduce false accusations due to DNA contamination or secondary transfer.
• Help forensic specialists by giving an extra strong layer of evidence to utilize in supporting or disproving assertions.
• Assistance in the quantification of the amount of time a suspect could have spent at a crime scene using cell deposition counts.

Furthermore, while promising, there remains improvement to be made in refining these methods. Further research is ongoing to determine best practices for the inclusion of shedder status within forensic casework globally. 

The science of "skin shedder" profiling is an exciting new frontier in forensic investigation, combining biology and law enforcement with precision. Understanding how individuals uniquely shed skin cells and DNA, forensic examiners can more accurately interpret DNA evidence, catch criminals more effectively, and ensure justice is meted out. 

For students and practitioners alike who are interested in forensic science, staying current with these cutting-edge advancements is a window into the future of crime-solving technology.

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.

A recent scientific discovery has reset the stage on what fingerprint reveals in criminal activities. Powerful new technology known as Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, or DESI-MS, has made it so that the forensic scientists are able to dig even deeper, finding not only people in hard or faint fingerprints but also gaining chemical information on what a person may have done recently, what drugs he or she may have used, what possible medical conditions they may have; age, sex, and even ethnicities.

What is DESI-MS?

DESI-MS is a state-of-the-art tool that enables investigators to analyze both the patterns and material composition of fingerprints left at crime scenes. This is how it is done:

• The finger is pressed to the surface and a gelatin lifter (which may already be in use in Indian forensic labs) is applied to gather the fingerprint.
• The lifter is sprayed with moderate intensity, electrically charged solvent mist (such as methanol).
• The chemical marks left in the fingerprint ridges are taken up by the mist.
• These chemicals are then analyzed in the DESI-MS, which gives both a picture of the fingerprint, and a breakdown of the chemicals in it.

Such technique is non-destructive, quick and able to retrieve spatial chemical information on prints that overlap, or in degraded prints, which could never have been imaged separately in the past with standard imaging.

Key Facts of the Recent Surveys

• With DESI-MS, the Aarhus University and other scientists were able to distinguish and identify overlapping fingerprints, even smudged or weak fingerprints, a first in reality in crime scenes.
• The technology enables discovery of drugs, medicines, explosive or even environmental chemicals which have been handled by an individual- essential information in establishing connections between people and crime scenes and activities.
• Machine learning with DESI-MS has been able to classify gender correctly (to 96%), age (84%), and ethnicity (82%), based on the individualized chemical profile in a fingerprint.
• DESI-MS is non-destructive and suitable for quick, in-situ analysis. In many cases, useful results are available within two hours. 

 What Information Can Now be  Extracted from Fingerprints? 

• Identification of the individual by the traditional ridge pattern and advanced chemical profiling.
• Detection of foreign substances by knowing whether the person recently touched drugs, explosives, lubricants, cleaning agents, or food remains.
• Personal profiling like gender, age range, ethnicity, and even possible health information, such as biomarkers for diseases.
• Newer studies have shown potential for DESI-MS to estimate when a fingerprint was deposited.

Indian crime scenes are full of overlapping and poor fingerprints which in the old times were usually treated as unacceptable evidence. Through DESI-MS, additional prints at the crime scene would be more usable, which can:

1. Assist in the solution of cold cases; i.e. older cases that remain unsolved.
2. With new chemical evidence, cause or eliminate wrongful convictions by including or eliminating suspects.
3. Serve investigative clues to cases related to narcotics or terrorism or environmental crimes.

Moreover, the technique can be integrated into the current workflow as gelatin lifters necessary in the processes are generally already in use by most labs; the transition toward DESI-MS may be cost-effective in comparison to replacing forensic protocols.

Future Difficulties and the Way Forwards

Although research shows that DESI-MS can be effective, extensive use will be at a cost of investment in equipment and training forensic teams in India. Judges and law enforcers should be sensitized about the process of gathering the chemical fingerprint testimony, its interpretation, and its manner of presentation before the court of law. Current research is extending the classes of chemicals that can be detected in fingerprints- future improvements may further individualize personal, medical, and behavioral profiling.

The innovation drives fingerprint evidence into the digital age. With the help of such tools as DESI-MS, each fingerprint can now reveal a much more detailed story not only about a person who left it but also about actions and things touched by the owner. That will translate to expedited case clearing and reduced trial errors, and lower costs among investigators as well as the justice system of India that has limited time and resources at their defense.

Tip: To read the original study or look at how such technology is being developed, see ScienceDaily coverage or search DESI-MS fingerprint for detailed research papers