Rohtak: Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonipat, was officially invited to participate and address the 24th Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS-2026). The prestigious international conference was scheduled from May 25 to 30, 2026, in Sofia, Bulgaria.IAFS is one of the world’s leading global forums comprising eminent forensic experts, legal scholars, scientists, medical professionals, criminal investigators, policymakers, and academicians who deliberate upon contemporary challenges and innovations in forensic sciences, criminal justice systems, and legal medicine. The theme of this year’s conference, “Working Together for the Future of Forensic Sciences,” aimed at promoting technological advancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international cooperation in forensic investigation and justice delivery systems.During the conference, Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh presented his scholarly paper titled “A Paradigm Shift in Indian Forensics: The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022: Balancing Technological Integration with the Constitutional Safeguards in Criminal Justice.” In his presentation, he elaborated upon the evolving landscape of forensic sciences in India and the growing integration of advanced technologies in criminal investigations.He observed that investigative agencies in India had long been functioning under the colonial-era Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which imposed significant limitations on scientific evidence collection and forensic modernization. He highlighted that the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 has considerably expanded the scope of forensic investigation by incorporating advanced biometric identifiers such as iris and retina scans, DNA-based biological samples, specimen signatures, handwriting samples, and voice recordings. According to him, these reforms have aligned India’s investigative framework with globally accepted scientific standards.Prof. Singh further emphasized the need for establishing national forensic standardization protocols, developing secure digital infrastructure, and strengthening technology-driven justice delivery systems in India. He also underlined the importance of balancing technological integration with constitutional safeguards and individual rights within the criminal justice framework.The participation of the VC of DBRANLU at such a distinguished international platform is expected to strengthen the university’s global academic engagement and promote collaborative discourse on forensic sciences, legal innovation, human rights, and technology-driven justice systems.
