Panaji: Goa police have introduced standard operating procedures (SOPs) for collecting, handling and presenting forensic evidence in sexual assault cases involving women and children.The SOPs are intended to strengthen investigations and prosecutions in gender-based violence cases by ensuring evidence is collected, preserved and presented systematically and in a legally sound manner.Police conducted a workshop for frontline officers, prosecutors, judicial officers, medical practitioners and others involved in investigating and prosecuting sexual and gender-based violence and child abuse cases.The workshop focused on a victim-centred approach and coordination across the criminal justice system. Participants discussed the need to treat survivors with dignity and sensitivity while ensuring evidence supports due process and access to justice.Police said the training emphasised consistent use of the SOPs and provided practical guidance on evidence collection, preservation, chain of custody and presentation in court. Case studies examined how proper forensic handling can support fair trials and improve justice outcomes for victims.The workshop also covered the role of legal practitioners in presenting forensic evidence. Medical experts discussed evidence collection and processing, including practical and technical issues that can affect reliability and evidentiary value.High court judge Neela Gokhale spoke about the importance of forensic evidence and the need to standardise procedures.Former additional solicitor general of India Pinky Anand said, “In cases of sexual and gender-based violence, the evidence that decides the case is often gone within hours and what is not collected in that first window cannot be recovered later.”DGP Alok Kumar said, “With the experience and law enforcement expertise we have here in Goa, we are well placed to bring together our cadres, from police, to doctors, to civil society, prosecution, judiciary, in the common goal of ensuring best practice of forensics evidence collection.”IGP K R Chaurasia said the SOPs are needed to ensure fair and effective investigations for survivors.
