STRENGTHENING JUSTICE FOR WOMEN: A CRITICAL STUDY OF POLICE PROTOCOLS IN COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IN SEXUAL OFFENCE CASES IN INDIA

AUTHOR – AYUSHI YADAV, JIWAJI UNIVERSITY GWALIOR

BEST CITATION – AYUSHI YADAV, STRENGTHENING JUSTICE FOR WOMEN: A CRITICAL STUDY OF POLICE PROTOCOLS IN COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IN SEXUAL OFFENCE CASES IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (13) OF 2025, PG. 657-662, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

ABSTRACT

The pursuit of justice for women in cases of sexual offences in India hinges critically on the integrity, efficiency, and sensitivity of police procedure in collecting and preserving scientific evidence.  Despite the progressive evolution of India’s criminal justice framework and the growing reliance on forensic science, numerous challenges persist in translating these advancements into consistent investigative practices.  This research paper titled as “Strengthening Justice for Women: A Critical Study of Police Protocols in Collecting and Preserving Scientific Evidence in Sexual Offence Cases in India,”  critically examines the rule of law. Enforcement in evidence management with particular importance on forensic procedures and institutional coordination and procedural fairness.

The study further explores statutory provisions under the Criminal Procedure Code, the Indian Evidence Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, alongside judicial interpretations that underscore the evidentiary value of scientific methods such as DNA profiling and forensic medical examinations. It identifies procedural deficiencies that impede justice—ranging from lack of training, infrastructural gaps, and contamination of evidence to gender insensitivity and delays in investigation. Drawing upon empirical insights from earlier studies and national directives, the paper analyzes how these systemic weaknesses undermine conviction rates and erode victim confidence in the justice system. Furthermore, the paper evaluates recent governmental initiatives such as the introduction of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection (SAEC) kits, the modernization of forensic laboratories, and inter-agency coordination models aimed at improving investigative outcomes. It concludes that strengthening justice for women requires not only legislative reform but also a cultural shift within policing, towards scientific rigor, empathy, and accountability. By integrating forensic precision with gender-sensitive law enforcement, India can ensure that every investigation upholds both the dignity of the survivor and the sanctity of evidence, thereby transforming justice from a procedural formality into a substantive right.