Karnataka launches 32 mobile forensic vans to strengthen crime investigation

One mobile forensic van for every district to enable on-the-spot evidence collection, faster investigations and stronger action against drug-related crimes Karnataka has taken a major step towards improving scientific crime investigation by introducing 32 Mobile Forensic Vans (MFVs), with one vehicle being allocated to each district in the state. The new initiative is aimed at helping police collect and preserve evidence directly at crime scenes, reducing delays in investigations and improving conviction rates. The mobile forensic vans were flagged off along with 75 Bolero police vehicles by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the new forensic vehicles will play an important role in strengthening investigations, particularly in drug-related offences. He said Karnataka Police had seized narcotics worth ₹375 crore ove r the past year and arrested around 1,500 drug peddlers, describing the department's efforts against illegal drugs as commendable. Also Read: Thanisandra to get Vande Bharat sleeper train depot; Land acquisition begins To encourage outstanding work, the Chief Minister also announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for the police team that recently made a major drug seizure. He pointed out that Karnataka shares borders with Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala, making the state vulnerable to interstate drug trafficking. He said constant vigilance and stronger investigation systems are necessary to tackle such crimes effectively. The Chief Minister also said that the misuse of artificial intelligence and modern technology is leading to new forms of crime. He stressed that police must increasingly depend on technology-based investigations and modern policing methods to deal with emerging criminal activities. Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the mobile forensic laboratories will allow officers to carry out scientific examinations directly at crime scenes. He said investigators will be able to collect better quality evidence, conduct digital forensic examinations on the spot and significantly improve both the speed and quality of criminal investigations. The new vans are expected to solve one of the biggest challenges faced during investigations-delays in collecting and preserving crucial evidence. Also Read: BSNL unveils costly satellite phone built for India’s toughest terrains According to Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem, investigating officers sometimes make mistakes while collecting sensitive evidence such as blood samples or DNA material. In many cases, there are also delays in transporting evidence to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) centres, which can affect investigations. To address this issue, Karnataka Police had already appointed more than 200 Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs), who are specially trained to collect scientific evidence. Earlier, these officers had to transport collected samples to FSL centres for preservation. With the introduction of the mobile forensic vans, evidence can now be collected, examined and preserved immediately at the crime scene, reducing the risk of contamination or delay. Police believe this will help investigators build stronger cases and improve the chances of securing convictions in court. Also Read: Footpath encroachments behind 25% of Bengaluru road deaths, Police Commissioner urges immediate action Each mobile forensic van has been equipped with advanced scientific equipment required for crime scene investigation. The facilities include blood and semen detection kits, DNA evidence collection kits, gunshot residue testing equipment, forensic light sources, fingerprint and footprint kits, digital forensic tools, narcotics detection kits, explosives detection systems, bullet hole examination equipment, arson investigation tools, microscopes, cameras and LED display screens. With these mobile forensic laboratories now being deployed across Karnataka, the state expects faster investigations, improved scientific evidence collection and stronger prosecution in criminal cases.