CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal : AIIMS Bhopal has achieved a significant milestone in the fields of forensic science and health innovation. The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the institute has developed a tamper-proof QR-coded labeling system, ensuring secure storage, safe transportation, and judicial recognition of forensic samples collected during medico-legal investigations.
This innovation is part of a two-year research project funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The system features a specially designed, waterproof, single-use, unbreakable label embedded with an institutional seal and an encrypted QR code. This label can be affixed directly to evidence containers, providing physical security, digital traceability, and tamper detection.
The innovation addresses practical challenges faced by police forces while transporting forensic samples from crime scenes to police stations or forensic science laboratories. These challenges include label smudging or damage leading to data loss, sample mix-ups, damage from moisture or rodents during prolonged storage, and the breaking of the ‘chain of custody’—which results in evidence being dismissed and judicial processes being compromised.
The new label is resistant to water, salt solutions, alcohol, and formalin — common sample preservatives — and retains its durability and adhesiveness despite environmental conditions or container leakage. The QR code ensures case-specific identification and secure data access. This initiative also supports the Government of India’s Digital India mission.
The system was co-developed by Professor Raghvendra Kumar Vidua and intern Dr. Pallavi Singh from the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Bhopal. It has been rigorously tested and proven to outperform traditional paper labels in terms of strength, readability, and security. The research team now plans to integrate AI-based tamper detection and holographic authentication features, and will be applying for a patent for the technology.
#AIIMSBhopal, #QRTechnology, #TamperProofQR, #DigitalIndia, #HealthcareInnovation, #DocumentSecurity, #MakeInIndia
