NU launches five-day forensic science training for 30 PBI officers

National University has launched a five-day specialised training programme for Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) officers on applying forensic science in criminal investigations, with 30 officers taking part.

The programme, titled "Application of Forensic Science in Criminal Investigations: From Crime Scene to the Courtroom", is being organised by National University's Institute of Forensic Science and Cyber Security (IFSCS) and was formally inaugurated at the PBI headquarters in Dhanmondi today (27 September), according to the press release.

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah inaugurated the training programme as the chief guest at 10 am.

PBI Chief and Additional IGP Md Mostafa Kamal presided over the inaugural ceremony, while National University Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nazmul Hossain attended as the special guest.

The training programme will continue until 1 October.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Professor Dr ASM Amanullah said even a small piece of evidence could become an important clue in a criminal investigation.

He said investigators must exercise caution and follow scientific procedures at every stage – from collecting and preserving evidence at a crime scene to sending it to a laboratory, conducting scientific analysis and presenting it before a court.

Amanullah said the nature of crime was changing and the use of technology in committing crimes was also increasing.

As a result, he said forensic science, digital forensics, DNA analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies needed to be integrated more effectively into investigative processes alongside conventional methods.

Referring to the rapid expansion of digital devices and social media, the vice-chancellor said digital evidence had become increasingly important in criminal investigations.

He said DNA analysis, fingerprints, forensic pathology, digital forensics and AI-based technologies had created new opportunities for investigators.

However, he said technology alone was not sufficient.

Investigating officers also needed to understand the limitations of technologies, the admissibility of evidence and how to interpret information obtained through scientific methods accurately, Amanullah added.

Stressing the importance of applying National University's education and research to solving practical problems in the country, the vice-chancellor said the university was directly connected with a large segment of Bangladesh's higher education system.

"We want the university's knowledge, research and specialised expertise to contribute to solving the country's real-world problems," he said.

"This type of application-oriented training for officials of law enforcement agencies is an important initiative towards achieving that objective," Amanullah added.

He said National University would expand such training programmes in the future in line with the needs of law enforcement agencies and professionals in related fields.

The five-day training covers crime scene management; collection, preservation and packaging of physical and biological evidence; chain of custody; sending and tracking evidence to laboratories; forensic DNA; forensic pathology and toxicology; limitations of eyewitness testimony; and various aspects of using social media and digital evidence.

One of the programme's key objectives is to ensure the use of accurate, reliable, and cost-effective scientific methods in criminal investigations.

It also aims to strengthen participants' ability to identify and analyse physical and digital evidence and ensure its admissibility throughout the process, from investigation to court proceedings.

Experts from National University, PBI, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and specialists from Bangladesh and abroad are participating as resource persons in different sessions.

Among the resource persons are former senior district judge Abu Sayed Dilzar Hossain, retired additional IGP Dr Md Matiur Rahman, IFSCS Head Professor Dr Mohammad Bin Kashem, Police Headquarters Additional DIG Jannatul Hasan, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Joint Secretary Dr Umme Sharaban Tahura, and Senior Assistant Secretary Said Md Safayet.

Other resource persons include PBI Additional Superintendent of Police Md Shibli Noman, retired Additional Superintendent of police Sirajul Islam of Special Branch, Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Nandita Malakar, Sathi Rani Sharma of CID, Gazi Golam Dastagir of the Crime Scene Unit, ABM Atiqur Rahman of the CID Forensic Unit, CID DNA Examiner Md Ashraful Alam and Golam Ambia Mahmud of CID.

Dr Helen Earwaker, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Studies at the University of Portsmouth's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the UK, will also conduct an online session titled "Significance and Impact of Forensic Evidence".

The training programme includes 24 sessions on subjects such as "From Forensic Findings to Judicial Findings", "Use of Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Investigation", "Forensic Report and Expert Testimony", "Limitations of Forensic Evidence" and "Police Interrogation and Human Rights".

Professor Dr Mohammad Bin Kashem, head of National University's IFSCS, is serving as the course co-ordinator of the training programme.

The National University Sociology Department and IFSCS Lecturer Khatune Jannat moderated the inaugural session.

Among others present were Police DIG Sujayet Islam, DIG Abul Kalam Azad, Additional DIG Alimuzzaman, Course Director Additional Superintendent of Police Samira Sultana, programme co-ordinator Md Ariful Islam, National University Communication Expert Goutam Barua, and Public Relations Office Director (Acting) Taiyeba Tasnim Siraj.

Certificates will be distributed among the participating PBI officers upon completion of the training programme.