The services and activities of the department are carried out on the basis of nature of cases and articles to be examined in  five technical divisions in the three Chemical Examiner’s Laboratories.

1. EXCISE DIVISION

Liquor samples involved in Abkari cases are examined for the presence of ethanol and its quantification in this division and reports are furnished to the Courts and investigating officers. Similarly liquor samples  from the licensed liquor shops and blending and bottling units are  examined for detection of adulteration  and checking quality being produced and sold out in the state of Kerala. Samples of Medicinal & Toilet Preparations under M&TP Act  are examined in this division assessing alcohol content.

2. NARCOTIC DIVISION

The Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substance involved in various cases registered under NDPS Act 1985 are examined in the Narcotics divisions of all three laboratories under this department.    During the year under report a total of 512 cases comprising of 1932 articles were examined  and reports furnished to various Courts across the state from  this division.

3. SEROLOGY DIVISION

Material objects suspected to be stained with body fluids like blood, semen, saliva, etc.. involved in Murder and  Sexual Offence cases  are examined for detection of blood, semen and saliva and finding origin  and blood group of stains in the serology divisions of the three laboratories under this department.    During the year 2009-10 , 1083 cases comprising of 4921 articles were examined and reports issued to various Courts and investigating officers.

4. TOXICOLOGY DIVISION

Forensic analytical toxicology works are being carried out in the Toxicology divisions of the three laboratories under this department.  Viscera, Stomach Wash, Blood, Urine, Vomit, Skeletal remains etc.. involved human poisoning cases forwarded by the Medical Officers of Government Hospitals and Police Surgeons are examined for  identification and estimation of poisons. Blood and urine samples pertaining to drunkenness cases are examined for determination of blood- alcohol level.  2799 cases of suspected  human poisoning  cases  comprising of 10,561 articles and 362 cases comprising 533 articles of drunkenness cases were analysed.

5. MISCELLANEOUS DIVISION (GENERAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION)

Explosives, Petroleum products, spurious gold, cement, concrete  etc.. involved in crime cases are examined in the Miscellaneous divisions of all three laboratories. During the current year 237 cases comprising of 1019 articles  were examined in this division.

IV. ACHIEVEMENTS (Success Stories)

During the year 2009-10 about 92,000 Material Objects involved about 24000 cases were received in the laboratory Department for chemical examination. During the year 2009-10, about 85,000 articles involved in about 25,000 crimes were analysed and furnished Certificates of Chemical Examination to various Courts and Investigating Officers from this Department.

The Improvement committee constituted by Government suggested some measures for improving the performance of the Department and Government have accepted the recommendations and the Department is implementing the recommendations stage by stage as follows:

1. Introduction of Data sheet and New Format of Certificate:-

The data sheet and new certificate formats are introduced with the purpose to speed up the recording of analytical data and computer printing of certificates of chemical analysis immediately after completion of analysis. This will enable the departments to issue the certificate very promptly to the Court and investigating officers.

1. Modernisation of Analytical Procedure:-  As suggested by the Committee, the Analytical procedures  are being modernized by processing and effectively using modern advanced analytical instrument in a phased measurer to keep the departments in pace with the developments in the field of Forensic Chemical analysis. The Excise divisions of the three laboratories under this department have been fully modernized with modern Gas Chromatograph with autosampler and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The Toxicology divisions are being modernized during the current year procuring Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer and other advanced analytical instruments. These modern analytical instruments not only enhance the accuracy of analytical findings but also speed up the analysis.
2. Training and Quality Improvement:- Starting from Induction training at various levels, refresher trainings are rendered to all types of officers in joining hands with IMG, Thiruvananthapuram very successfully as part of State Training Programme. All these training programmes are giving excellent results. Scientists from this department are usually deputed to the national level training institutes like National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi; Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad; Directorate of Forensic Science, Ahamedabad etc.

1. Computerisation & Case Status Enquiry System:-  The development of “ Report Generation and Laboratory Management Software”  for the exclusive use of the Chemical Examiner’s Laboratory Department is nearing completion. The software will help the department to prepare the certificate of chemical analysis within a few minutes immediately after completion of analysis. This software also has the facility for furnishing the status of the cases through SMS to investigating officer and court.
2. Monitoring of Technical Work:-   A Technical Inspection Team (TIT) has been constituted to conduct inspection on technical works and maintenance  of records in all three laboratories under this Department. The Team will start its functioning from December 2010.