An Analysis the Legal and Ethical Implications of Forensic Evidence in Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to analyses the compliance of the legal measures in Pakistan and mainly the Qanun-e-Shahadat Ordinance 1984, the Criminal procedure code (CrPc) and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. This is in relation to efficiency and drawbacks in the existing legal regarding the expansion admissibility, treatment, and storage of forensic evidence and challenges involved in ethical consideration of reliability of forensic technologies, experts and possibly malicious use. Employing the quantitative method of research consisting of surveys and semi-structured interviews, the study collects data from 30 legal professionals in Pakistan, including judges, lawyers and public prosecutors of Multan and Lahore divisions. The findings are therefore a comparative review with what is allowed in other countries and possible shortcomings in the current system besides giving directions for legal, ethical, and procedural changes wanted in the analysis of forensic evidence. In this regard, the research aims to contribute to improve credibility, fairness, and efficiency of the forensic practices in Pakistan. In conclusion, it is the hope of this research to add a positive anemographic value in the calls for reform and enhancement of forensic practices with the evidence to continue to be credible and properly dealt with in the legal process.