DFS to save state cops from bullets
Gujarat police will be the only force in the country to have its bullet-proof helmets and jackets tested at state's own forensic science lab; no more waiting for tests at DRDO
Gujarat police will have the unique advantage among all police force in the country to have its bullet-proof helmets and jackets tested in its own state, thanks to the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) in Gandhinagar, which on Tuesday became the first forensic science laboratory in the country to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets.
Uptil now, all testing of such jackets and helmets was carried out at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Chandigarh, the only one of its kind in the country.
The state police had to wait for up to six months to get its bullet-proof equipment tested at TBRL since such material from across the country, including the defence forces, is tested there.
Three-month effort
It took the DFS three months and lakhs of rupees to set up the facility to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets. DFS already had a ballistic firing range, which was modified according to the standards of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at Washington DC in the US. The NIJ standard establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armour against gunfire.
Giving details about the facility, DFS Additional Director Dr M S Dahiya said, "We have followed international testing standards while setting up this facility to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets for the Gujarat police. Right from the time the stock is removed from the packing till the time it is tested, the entire process will be videographed to maintain transparency."
Two officers of the company providing the helmet/jacket, two police officers, besides members of the government purchase committee and two FSL experts and three observers will be present during the testing, Dahiya said.
Testing standards
For testing the helmet, firing will be carried out from five metres, while for the jacket it has been fixed at 15 metres. The conditions set for the testing are that the helmet/jacket should not break when fired at, nor should the bullet penetrate it. To check whether penetration happens, plasticine, a special material, is used as backing.
Different firing weapons — AK-47, revolver or carbine — will be used as per the requirement. The helmet will be fired at four times from different angles, while the jacket will be shot at six times to test its efficacy.
DFS Director Dr J M Vyas said, "Ours will be the first forensic science laboratory in the country to test bullet-proof equipment. There are two advantages for the state. One testing of equipment for Gujarat police will be done on priority here with no waiting period. Secondly, organisations from other states too will come here to test their equipment, thereby earning revenue for the state."
Ours will be the first forensic science lab in the country to test bullet-proof equipment. This will be beneficial to the state
—Dr J M Vyas, DFS Director
