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CFSL

Definition

Central Forensic Science Laboratory: a central government lab operating under DFSS. India has CFSLs at New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Pune, Guwahati, and Bhopal. They handle cases from the CBI, NIA, and other central agencies.

Full form
Central Forensic Science Laboratory
Country
India
Governing body
Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs
Number of labs
Seven (New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Pune, Bhopal, Guwahati)
Primary clients
CBI, NIA, and other central agencies; inter-state referrals

Common questions

What is CFSL?+

CFSL stands for Central Forensic Science Laboratory. These are India's national-level forensic science labs run by the central government. They operate under the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

What kinds of cases do CFSLs handle?+

CFSLs take on cases referred by central agencies like the CBI and NIA, along with inter-state and high-profile matters. Each lab also has specialist divisions. For example, CFSL Hyderabad hosts the national questioned documents division, while Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Kolkata maintain separate gunshot residue (GRC) repositories.

How many CFSLs are there and where are they located?+

There are seven CFSLs located at New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Pune, Bhopal, and Guwahati. The New Delhi lab operates specifically under the CBI, while the remaining six fall under DFSS.

Related terms

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