KOZHIKODE: A total of 627,213 samples are pending in the Chemical Examiner’s Laboratories in the state due to the lack of modern testing systems and adequate staff. These are samples from 2,25,721 cases that occurred between 2022 and February 19, 2025. Ernakulam has the highest number of pending samples (283,037), while Kozhikode has the lowest number (144,824). The pending samples include even those from high-profile cases. Internal organs, blood samples, and many other samples from suicide victims are among them. Chemical analysis reports are crucial evidence in criminal cases. While samples submitted by the police are sent for chemical examination by respective courts, internal organs and other samples in cases like suspicious deaths and murders are sent by doctors who carried out the post mortem or police surgeons. Delays in test results significantly affect the investigation of cases.

The results are sent to the relevant authorities. In excise cases, the responsible officer in the districts directly collects them. Samples from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Alappuzha are examined at the headquarters laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram, while samples from Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad are examined at the regional laboratory in Ernakulam. Samples from Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod are tested at the laboratory in Kozhikode.

40 officers required at each lab

The state has only 36 scientific officers and 22 technical assistants across its three laboratories. Kozhikode has the fewest staff, with only 9 scientific officers and 6 technical assistants. Ernakulam has 11 scientific officers and 6 technical assistants, while Thiruvananthapuram has 16 scientific officers and 10 technical assistants. At least 40 officers are needed at each laboratory. Across the state, 23 positions, including scientific officer, technical assistant, and serological assistant, remain vacant.

Vacant Positions:

Scientific Officer: 9
Technical Assistant / Serological Assistant: 6
Lasker: 4
Office Attendant: 1
Night Watcher: 1
Bottle Cleaner: 2

Samples
Crime type...........Cases..........Samples
Murders...............328.............1,187
Narcotics..............46,135........49,247
Sexual assault......1,081..........3,261
Drowning deaths..1,005..........2,073
Excise...................45,157........101,496
Explosions............1,314..........9,541