Daily Times

The ace of forensics in Pakistan, Dr Mohammad Ashraf Tahir, is also considered one of America’s top forensic scientists. He was born in a village and studied at Maurussipur High School, Toba Tek Singh, a district of Pakistan. Dr Tahir is a dual national and has served 36 years in the US Law Enforcement Agencies issuing reports in forensics and has testified in more than 2000 criminal cases all over the US. He served on the FBI Directors’ DNA Advisory Board to write up the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Analysis in the US. He received an award from the Director of FBI in appreciation for “Exemplary Services in Advancing the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Analysis in the United States of America.”

Professional career of Dr Tahir started in 1976 from Youngstown Police Department Crime Laboratory, the US as a Bench Scientist and excelled to Executive Director. He worked at Illinois State Police, Forensic Services, Chicago as Forensic Biologist, from June 1978 till November 1990. Afterwards, he joined Marion County as Forensic biology and DNA technical manager for 15 years. After retiring from Marion County, he co-founded a private forensic DNA testing laboratory named “Strand Analytical Lab.” After gaining success in Indianapolis, Dr Tahir joined Cuyahoga County Forensic Science Laboratories as Executive Director till 2011. He is also a certified assessor for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).

In 2008, when militant attacks rose in Pakistan, witnessing his credibility in forensic discipline, Dr Tahir was contacted by the Punjab Government and appointed as a consultant to establish Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Shahbaz Shareef.

Muneezay Moeen (MM) conversed with him referring to his endeavour efforts and accomplishments in the respective field.

MM: Do you find peace of heart working in Pakistan as compared to America?

MT: The government Of Punjab summoned me to establish a forensic agency. I willingly decided to take this project and I have no regret for serving my country. Today I owe Pakistan for whatever I am as I took my basic education from my beloved country. Seeking Justice is the fundamental right of an individual and I firmly believe that if I can be of any assistance to someone in this matter, My Allah Almighty will be satisfied with me and the State must ensure justice and impartiality.

MM: The first forensic was established in 1906 in our region, what is the reason behind its non up gradation?

MT: First forensic laboratory was established before Partition in 1906. The British government established the first forensic department on Birdwood Road, Lahore. By 1947, this forensic lab was assiduously serving as a British training centre and also dealt with the examination of physical evidence like dust sample examination, firearm, cloth fibres, ink detection, counterfeit coin examination, forged currency, typed and handwritten material.

In America, the first lab was constructed in 1929 on Saint Valentines Day Massacre, 14th of Feb, 1929 at the Chicago Police Department in collaboration with the chemistry department of North Western University, Chicago. For a hundred years to come the lab established in 1906 remained the same and did not improve or upgrade. We need to believe in the continuing of education, learning the new developments, scientific formulas etc. Punjab forensic science agency is at par with international agencies, our agency has the world best scientists and they appear in annual excellency tests. These tests identify whether scientists are absorbing new concepts or not. After completing their training for one to 2.5 years in their respective fields, scientists are competency tested and permitted to work on cases. Each scientist takes a proficiency test provided by the certified American Society for Crime Lab Directors Board once a year, except DNA scientists. DNA Scientists are proficiency tested twice a year.

MM: What difficulties did u encounter in construction of this agency and how did u overcome them?

MT: The government of Punjab funded this program. Construction was not a big deal but the matter of interest was its operation. I completed my task which was the construction of this agency and after its completion, I had to go back to America. I happened to meet the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Shahbaz Sharif, who requested me to take this responsibility. One day I was invited over dinner by Mr Shahbaz Sharif who said that the project is completed but now I see all this investment in vain. I agreed to him right away and took this task because this seed was sown by me and I wanted to see it grow.

It’s a successful project now and that’s all because of the efforts we’ve put in it. I took 32 scientists with me to America and got them trained from different laboratories. I can claim complete transparency in my agency. Every person here abides by the law. Nothing can influence the record and report generated by Punjab forensic science agency. Merit is all that matters. We have to deal with bureaucracy speaking about the government, yes! It is supportive.

MM: What is your secret to remain constant at this designation?

MT: I believe that Allah is all Merciful and I have HIS blessings.

PFSA is an internationally recognized competent and efficient agency.

I have resolved several cases including Mike Tyson, I uncovered the evidence that led to the conviction of boxer Mike Tyson for 12.5 years in jail for rape, convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy and cleared Doctor Sam Sheppard from the allegation of murdering his wife.

Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) received more than 1.5 million pieces of evidence in heinous crimes which come out from 100,000 cases received every year, across the country all high profile cases, including explosions, sexual assaults, murders, homicides, robbery/theft, cybercrimes and fire/arson have been referred to PFSA on the request of local police. So far we have received 600,000 cases (9.0 million pieces of evidence) since inception.

MM: How credible and reliable is PFSA?

MT: PFSA won the confidence of the judiciary, public, security agencies, stakeholders in the criminal justice system, federal agencies, the international forensic community and the general public. Judiciary did not rely on forensic evidence and its reports before the establishment of PFSA. On the contrary, now the judiciary relies on physical evidence in the criminal justice system. We provide support service for the judiciary, prosecution and police to get to justice.

MM: Which major cases PFSA has solved?

MT: PFSA always serves the nation. We helped to identify the bodies in PIA aeroplane crash in Karachi. Zainab rape-murder case was solved by PFSA, Chunian case in which four children were sexually abused and killed, identification of burnt bodies in oil tanker explosion case of Ahmedpur Sharqia, were solved by PFSA through DNA evidence, audio-video analysis, latent fingerprints, chemical examination matters and other forensic advanced techniques. In Green Town Lahore, Muazen of the mosque was declared the culprit for molesting and killing a child, which he was not. Muazen of the Mosque was cleared and the real killer of six-year-old was arrested after DNA and polygraph tests, who came out to be a barber.

We have been referred cases from the United States of America, Scotland Yard, Norway, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Russia. We have high credibility and reputation amongst the international forensic community.

MM: How was the Corona department built on an immediate basis and what number of cases did you get daily?

MT: I was contacted by the home secretary who was asked by Chief Minister Mr Usman Buzdar to start the testing. I was able to secure funding from the British High Commission and the European Union, the equipment cost born was 0.75 million pounds. We established a corona testing facility and so far we have completed 17,000 tests of corona patients. PFSA can conduct 2,000 tests in 24 hours. We have been able to acquire extra funds from the British High Commission to continue corona testing at PFSA.

MM: What essentials are there in a forensic van?

MT: A forensic van has all essential and optional equipment in it. Bindle paper, Biohazard bags, Body fluid collection kit, Camera with flash and tripod; extra film, if not digital; extra flash memory cards, if digital, Casting materials, Consent/search form, Crime scene barricade tape, Cutting instruments (knives, box cutter, scalpel, scissors, etc.), Directional marker/compass, Disinfectant (such as a 10% bleach solution), Evidence collection containers including rigid containers for firearms and ammunition boxes, pie boxes with sheet cotton for document recovery, manila folders, Evidence identifiers (numbers, placards), Evidence seals/tapes. First-aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, High-intensity light, Latent print kits, Magnifying glass, Measuring devices, Permanent markers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Photographic scale (ruler), Presumptive blood test supplies, Sketch paper, Tool kit, Tweezers/forceps, Window screen fabric in rolls or sheets and so more. After the paperwork and sealing we handover it. It is the police who will deliver us the data at the lab.

MM: What sort of delegation and official visits happen in PFSA?

MT: Only relevant delegations and official visits are done in PFSA. One thing is certain that none of them is authorized to visit laboratories, arrange training sessions for the judiciary, prosecution, detective police etc. Apart from this European union delegation, Japanese delegation, British high commission, and many other Delegations visited PFSA.

MM: What is the process to train a scientist?

MT: Punjab Forensic Science Agency Lahore is a full-service Forensic Laboratory with sixteen forensic disciplines under a single roof. Each department has qualified and expert scientists, we send them abroad for continuing education. These programs are funded by overseas in a greater percentage than the government. In certain fields, we invite foreign scientists at PFSA and conduct training sessions. Due to pandemic, sessions are being conducted through video conferencing as well. Now PFSA is training food, agriculture and pharmaceutical scientists. Through the training of these scientists of PFSA, food, agriculture and pharmaceutical scientists, PFSA has saved foreign exchange worth PKR 4.5 Billion.

MM: When will other provinces have a forensic lab?

MT: Every province must have their forensic laboratories but unfortunately this is not the case in Pakistan. PFSA is receiving cases from all over Pakistan. We have eight divisional satellite stations in Punjab for crime scene processing and evidence collection. All other provinces and federal government contact us for crime scene processing and evidence collection in high profile cases and terrorism activities.

At PFSA, it requires lots of efforts and money to maintain the international accreditation, proficiency and competency of scientists according to international standards. Therefore, keeping in view the international requirement of infrastructure, human resource and equipment, every province should invest to build their forensic labs.

The writer is a human rights activist, a blogger