BNSS Section 329 — Reports of certain Government scientific experts

Summary

A report written and signed by a government scientific expert listed in this section can be used as evidence in court cases under this law, if the report was made after the expert examined or analyzed something submitted to them during the case. The court can choose to call that expert to court to explain their report. If the expert is called but cannot come in person, they can send a responsible officer who works with them and knows the facts of the case, unless the court specifically ordered the expert to appear personally. The experts covered by this section include chemical examiners, the Chief Controller of Explosives, the Director of the Finger Print Bureau, directors of forensic science laboratories, the Serologist to the Government, and any other scientific expert officially notified by the State or Central Government.

Official Text

(1) Any document purporting to be a report under the hand of a Government scientific expert to whom this section applies, upon any matter or thing duly submitted to him for examination or analysis and report in the course of any proceeding under this Sanhita, may be used as evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita.

(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, summon and examine any such expert as to the subject-matter of his report.

(3) Where any such expert is summoned by a Court, and he is unable to attend personally, he may, unless the Court has expressly directed him to appear personally, depute any responsible officer working with him to attend the Court, if such officer is conversant with the facts of the case and can satisfactorily depose in Court on his behalf.

(4) This section applies to the following Government scientific experts, namely:—

(a) any Chemical Examiner or Assistant Chemical Examiner to Government;

(b) the Chief Controller of Explosives;

(c) the Director of the Finger Print Bureau;

(d) the Director, Haffkeine Institute, Bombay;

(e) the Director, Deputy Director or Assistant Director of a Central Forensic Science Laboratory or a State Forensic Science Laboratory;

(f) the Serologist to the Government;

(g) any other scientific expert specified or certified, by notification, by the State Government or the Central Government for this purpose.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.8 p.2108 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §293 — Reports of certain Government scientific experts