Title: Understanding the role of forensic expert testimony in new criminal laws to increase conviction rate in the Indian criminal justice system

Authors: Drishti Saraf; Vipin Vijay Nair

Addresses: Chamber of Amit Dixit, New Delhi, India; Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India ' Jindal Institute of Behavioural Science, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India

Abstract: The newly introduced Indian criminal law also intends to imperatively incorporate the use of forensic science in the criminal investigation system to aid and assist the investigating officers in evidence collection, thus allowing them to present a strong case against the accused. Though the use of forensic science would ease and fasten the investigation process but considering the limited evidentiary value of forensic evidence in the criminal justice system today, the proposed law might not be able to help the legislature achieve its ultimate objective of increasing the conviction rate. This paper aims to navigate through various cases and judgements and showcase the status that forensic evidence holds in the present criminal justice system to understand the relationship shared between forensic evidence and conviction rate as well as highlight the potential modifications that can be introduced to increase the admissibility value of expert witness testimony in the court of law.

Keywords: Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam; conviction rate; evidentiary value; forensic expert; expert witness testimony; Indian criminal justice system; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2026.152764

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2026 Vol.12 No.2, pp.193 - 210

Received: 02 Sep 2024
Accepted: 29 Nov 2024
Published online: 10 Apr 2026 *

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