Scientific Policing in Udaipur | Rajasthan's First Mobile Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL Van) Launched in Udaipur

Udaipur, Nov 7, 2025: As part of a new initiative by the central government to make crime investigations more scientific and effective in the state, a new mobile FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) van service was launched from the Udaipur Range Headquarters on Thursday, November 6. This was the first launch of the FSL Van in Rajasthan.

Importance of Forensic Evidence

IG Gaurav Srivastava explained that in a number of cases, where victims or eyewitnesses turn hostile, the use of forensic evidence makes it possible to convict the accused. The law enforcement agencies are now striving to further promote the use of forensic investigation.

The FSL Director, Dr Ajay Sharma stated that under Section 176(3) of the newly implemented BNSS, the FSL investigation is now mandatory in cases punishable by a sentence of seven years or more. In such cases, the presence of forensic experts at the crime scene will be essential.

FSL Vans in Rajasthan

Rajasthan has been allocated 56 mobile FSL vans, the highest in the country. These vans will be equipped with all the necessary modern equipment and forensic kits. This will greatly assist police teams in taking prompt action and providing a scientific direction to crime investigations.

In this direction, state-of-the-art mobile forensic vehicles (FSL Vans) have been launched in Udaipur. Each district will be assigned one FSL van, which will reach the crime scene, collect evidence, and prepare a preliminary report. Based on this report, a decision will be made as to whether it is necessary to send samples to the laboratory.

What is a FSL Mobile Van

Also known as a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Van, this vehicle works as a mini-lab. It is equipped with the essential forensic investigation tools and is driven directy to the scene of the crime, with experts accompanying the vehicle. This facilitates quick onsite collection of evidence, its preservation and the preliminary analysis. This speeds up the investigation and enhances the quality of evidence presented in court since the evidence is not contaiminated before being transported to the regular labs for indepth analysis. The on-site handling preserves the integrity of the evidence for full lab research and analysis.

A range of specialized tools and kits are present in the FSL Vans - these include documentation tools like DSLR cameras, barcode scanners, thermal printers; narcotics and explosive detection kits for on the spot detection of explosive residues, drugs, etc; evidence collection kits viz gloves, scalpel etc for crime scene protection, DNA / sexual assault evidence, ballistics and digital evidence; forensic light sources like multi tunable UV and fluoresence lights for detecting fingerprints, body fluids and other trace evidence.

On the occasion of the launch, Udaipur Range IG Gaurav Srivastava, FSL Director, and SPs, Additional SPs, Deputy SPs, Police Station Officers, Crime Assistance Officers, MOV in-charges, and other officials from all districts in the division were present.

What does a FSL Van look like from inside