When films talk forensics: Science of crime detection takes centre stage

Ahmedabad: In an episode of the hugely popular TV show ‘CID', Dr R P Salunkhe, the ‘in-house' forensic expert, puts a white substance on a slide. Viewers expect it to go under a microscope, but it goes right on the tip of his tongue, and he tells ACP Pradyuman that the substance is ‘empedine,' a ‘nasheeli dawai' or psychotropic substance.
While the scene may send experts at forensic science laboratories rolling with laughter, the show – as Narendra Gupta, who plays Dr Salunkhe, pointed out on Sunday – introduced the concept of a forensic science expert whom police investigators consult to make sense of the evidence found at a crime scene or link a suspect to a crime. Gupta was one of the speakers at the Symposium on Film Forensics hosted by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) on Sunday at Vigyan Bhavan. Film and entertainment personalities including Prasoon Joshi, chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC); Hema Malini, actor and MP were part of the event along with several other film and TV actors, directors, writers, producers, and technical experts. The two major sessions at the event focused on the depiction of forensic science on screen and the use of forensics for crimes such as film piracy. NFSI vice chancellor Dr J M Vyas said that the purpose of the event was to bridge the gap between the discipline and its depiction in popular culture. "Mediums such as cinema have a lasting impact on viewers' psyche and thus, we decided to collaborate with filmmakers to improve their understanding of how the crimes take place and how they are solved," he said. "Filmmakers got in touch to visit the campus or interact with experts."
For many forensic experts and filmmakers, the ‘true' depiction has been a tricky issue. The event discussed the ‘CSI effect,' named after a popular US show where the criminals learn how to cover their tracks and the jury has unrealistic expectations when it comes to the application of technology in crime detection. The panelists also stressed the preventive aspect of forensic science and the popularity of ‘true crime' shows and web series.