Universities in Bihar will soon introduce a master’s course in forensic science to cater to the demand of forensic experts.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar made this announcement at a function held in the conference hall of the Advance Training School (ATS) after inspection of various sections of the state forensic science laboratory in the state capital on Wednesday.

Nitish said a meeting of the officials of the education department has been convened to discuss ways to introduce the new course in the university. “It is okay if Patna University (PU) takes a lead in introducing the course,” he said, adding that other universities should come forward if PU can’t.

The chief minister said the students have to go outside Bihar to study the course as none of the nine universities in the state has the facility to impart education in forensic science.

Referring to appointment of scientists and technical assistants in a large number at the lone forensic science laboratory of Bihar, Nitish said many of them were from outside the state.

“Even girls in large number from other states have shown their interest and joined the laboratory,” he added.

Stressing the need to equip the laboratory with modern gadgets to make it of a national repute, Nitish said if scientific evidence were gathered against the offenders, they would no longer be able take advantage of lack of proof.

“Police (investigators) should collect clinching evidence against the offenders so that they could be prosecuted (convicted) in the court of law. This will also lessen the chances of suspicion on the role of the investigating officers,” he added.

The chief minister said the nature of crime has undergone a sea change with new technologies being introduced every day. “You have to be watchful and bring changes in the methods of investigation accordingly,” he suggested the senior police officials present on the occasion.

Nitish said with a view to keeping pace with the changes in the nature of crime particularly increase in the incidents of cyber crime in the state, the state police decided to separate the law enforcing agency into two wings — one entrusted with the task of investigating cases and another to maintain law and order.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment to establishing the rule of law in the state, the chief minister said the separation of the police into investigation and law and order was a move towards that direction.