Bhubaneswar: Low conviction rate dominated proceedings during the second day of senior police officers' conference here that started on Tuesday.

Participants held a discussion on increasing the conviction rate through quality investigation, use of technology and engagement of legal advisers at district level.

National Crime Records Bureau statistics revealed that the conviction rate in Odisha stood at 10.4 per cent in 2016 - the second lowest among all states. While 37,549 cases went to trial, only 3,907 ended in conviction. Bengal tops the list with 10.1 per cent conviction rate.Police sources said vacancy in posts of sub-inspector and assistant sub-inspectors, considered as the backbone of police stations, has hindered proper investigation in the cases. The police said around 35 per cent posts of sub-inspector and assistant sub-inspectors are lying vacant here.

"Acute shortage of manpower often does not allow investigating officers to conduct a thorough probe. Besides, witnesses also turn hostile during trials that lead to acquittal of the accused. The investigating officers need to be trained properly to conduct investigation and subsequent filing of charge sheet," said a senior police officer.

Director-general of police R.P. Sharma said the state police was giving its 100 per cent in investigation and filing charge sheets. "We explored various ideas to augment the conviction rate," said Sharma.

The conference is held every year by the police headquarters to review, debate and discuss various police related subjects and formulate strategies. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will be the chief guest at the valedictory event on Thursday.