What happened: MHA approval for Mobile Forensic Vans across districts and State FSLs

The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities to strengthen forensic capability at and near crime scenes. Under the scheme, the Union Government approved ₹496.66 crore for providing Mobile Forensic Vans (MFVs) to all districts and to State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) across the country.

The approved MFVs are designed to enable scientific examination of crime scenes and systematic collection of evidence. The MFVs include facilities for crime-scene documentation; photography and videography; collection of biological and trace evidence; fingerprint development and lifting; preliminary examination of physical evidence; secure preservation of exhibits; and digital documentation, among other forensic tools.

So far, the Government reported allocation of 619 Mobile Forensic Vans to various States across India. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, stated in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that operational costs, including recruitment of manpower, will be borne by the respective State/Union Territory.

Background and earlier position: MFV deployment through scheme-based capacity support

MFVs are intended to bring core forensic tools closer to the crime scene instead of relying only on later examination at a laboratory. The Government’s stated progress includes allocation of 619 MFVs to States, indicating earlier deployment under the modernization push for forensic capacities.

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