Forensic Science in Practice: An Empirical Study of Criminal Justice Administration in Varanasi District

This study examines the practical functioning of forensic science within the criminal justice system through an empirical analysis conducted in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh. Recent legislative developments, particularly the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, emphasize the expanded use of forensic evidence in criminal investigations. This paper evaluates how these mandates operate in practice. The study draws on field interactions with forensic experts, judicial stakeholders, police personnel, and practicing advocates, along with questionnaire-based responses. The findings reveal systemic challenges affecting the effective integration of forensic science, including delays in reporting, procedural gaps in evidence collection and preservation, infrastructural and technological limitations, and human resource constraints. The study further identifies issues in the interpretation and use of forensic evidence within courtroom proceedings due to limited technical understanding and restricted availability of expert testimony. It argues that a structural gap exists between legal mandates and institutional capacity, and highlights the need for coordinated reforms to strengthen forensic integration in criminal adjudication.