The e-forensic utility of the Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL) and the Delhi Police will now use blockchain know-how to create an unchangeable and clear file of the chain of custody for proof, making DFSL the primary establishment of its variety within the nation to make use of this know-how, lieutenant governor VK Saxena introduced on Thursday.

The Delhi Police has already skilled at the least 1,500 personnel to function this new know-how, and greater than 3,000 forensic samples are being processed and analysed utilizing it, in response to officers aware of the matter.

Blockchain know-how is a system of storing and transferring info in a series of blocks, with every block containing knowledge, corresponding to, on this case, forensic information, case information, photographs or logs. All the data is encrypted with cryptography, which prevents fraud and hacking. The knowledge is decentralised as a result of it isn’t saved in a single place however on many computer systems, making it more durable to tamper with the data.

Due to those causes, blockchain know-how is taken into account safe and clear.

“With DFSL’s e-forensic app using blockchain, the technology has now become a part of the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), which was created to enable the seamless transfer of data and information among the police, forensics, prosecution, court and prison, in Delhi,” mentioned a senior Delhi Police officer, who requested to not be named.

The legal justice system has a number of steps, the primary of which is against the law being reported. The subsequent step is police registering a case and visiting the crime scene. Then, the forensic group visits and collects proof and samples from the scene and deposits them on the maal khana. The subsequent step is assigning a QR code to the pattern. After that, a messenger takes custody of the proof and brings it to a lab. Next, a scientist takes cost of the proof and prepares the forensic report. The report is then submitted to the police.

Each of the above steps would type a “block” within the “chain,” every with its distinctive code figuring out it and linking it to one another, thus exhibiting the historical past and order of the info. The first block would include the preliminary report of the crime, the subsequent block the main points of the primary info report, investigating officer, the jurisdiction of the police station, and the block after that the forensic group’s go to to the crime scene, and so forth.

Each time proof modifications fingers, a brand new block may be added to the blockchain, documenting who had custody and when.

The info can be uploaded on the blockchain by way of computer systems or cellphones.

Previously, in every of those steps, info was logged into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a database and portal linked to ICJS. But now, ICJS has been linked to the e-forensic app, and the blockchain system differs from CCTNS in a single elementary approach — it is going to guarantee anonymity and confidentiality as a result of the investigating officers of a case wouldn’t concentrate on the main points of the forensic proof till they get the ultimate report. Forensic consultants wouldn’t know the information of the case whose proof they’re inspecting.

“Previously, a police officer would examine a crime scene, and, for example, find a blood spatter, and ask forensic experts to link it to a gun or a fingerprint found at another location. But now, with the introduction of blockchain technology, the details of the first information report or the investigating officer of the case can never be disclosed to the forensic experts without breaking the database of the QR code. Even the forensic expert will not be able to access the details of the accused or victim,” mentioned the senior police officer cited anonymously above.

“Blockchain technology will bring transparency, accountability, trust, security, increased efficiency and automation in the criminal-judicial system. It will help automate the entire forensic workflow starting from the police to the FSL, and the data entered by the investigating officer at the police station level to FSL without disclosing the details such as FIR or name of parties will ensure confidentiality,” mentioned LG Saxena, at an occasion asserting the launch of the know-how at Raj Niwas.

The LG underlined the significance of clear, tamper-free and speedy disposal of instances submitted to DFSL by the Delhi Police throughout legal investigation and subsequent judicial trials. “By using this technology, better intra-departmental coordination can be established, and so it will help the common people attain justice and bring huge relief to them. The probationer IAS officers must learn to use the technology to ensure a better and faster delivery system,” the LG mentioned.

Since completely different regulation enforcement companies and forensic labs typically have to share knowledge securely, blockchain can facilitate the encrypted and managed info sharing whereas sustaining an auditable file of who accessed the info.

Officials mentioned that the Delhi Police had supplied QR code scanners and printers to 225 police stations within the Capital. The senior police officer quoted above added that blockchain know-how also can assist examine crimes corresponding to homicide, rape, fraud, and monetary crimes.

The occasion was attended by the chief secretary, Naresh Kumar, Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora, and several other senior officers, together with 14 probationary IAS officers of the AGMUT cadre.