Major fire at Nampally forensic lab destroys cyber forensic section

A major fire broke out at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Nampally, Hyderabad, damaging over 40 computers and equipment in the cyber forensic section. The incident has raised concerns about the fate of crucial evidence linked to several high-profile cases.

Hyderabad: A major fire mishap on Saturday reportedly gutted computer storage devices kept in the Forensic Science Laboratory, Nampally, raising questions over the outcome of several cases, including some sensational ones, where reports and evidence play a crucial role.

The forensic science laboratory gets exhibits at its various divisions such as ballistics, toxicology, DNA examination, cyber forensics and document examination from the state police, courts, the police of other states and national law enforcement agencies.

---

The laboratory analyses evidence, such as firearms, narcotics, and documents, to support police investigations. The findings of the scientists at the laboratories are submitted to the court as scientific or technical evidence play a crucial part in taking the cases to a logical conclusion.

The fire on Saturday morning reportedly broke out in the cyber forensic section where over 40 computers and related equipment were kept and were completely damaged. Fire officials point out retrieving data would be a big challenge as the computers and other equipment stored there were badly damaged.

After the major fire incident, it is still not clear what the quantum of damage at the laboratory and exhibits, important documents and other articles kept there. Several crucial data pertaining to high profile cases was reportedly stored in the computers in the laboratory.

According to the officials, the fire department received a call at 10.21 am and fire tenders and personnel from different fire stations were rushed to the spot. “Initially, the fire fighters could not enter the first floor of the building due to heavy smoke. Later, wearing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, we entered the building and started the operations,” said a local fire fighter.

The staff at the laboratory initially asked the fire fighters to douse the fire with the help of fire extinguishers available in the building. This suggestion was made keeping in mind the computers located in the room. When the attempts to put out the fire using extinguishers failed, the fire fighters pumped in water to control the fire. The fire in the meantime spread to three to four rooms on the first floor of the building.

“We suspect the fire started due to a short circuit in the room. At this stage we cannot say about the equipment damaged in the fire,” said DCP (Khairatabad) K Shilpavalli.