Role of Forensic Evidence in Pre-Trial Investigation and Benefit of Doubt in Murder-Cases in Pakistan

Abstract

This article discusses some murder trials in Pakistan during the year 2021 and underscores theevidence for the lack of pre-trial investigation and preparation of prosecution case as observed in such cases;and the impact of such lack of preparation of the case on the prosecution’s interest in the justice system. Inorder to underpin the argument of this paper, 21 murder cases are chosen randomly from the year 2021 toanalyse the judicial policy in acquitting the accused. In doing so, this paper notes the trends of judicial policyfor their preservation of principles requiring proof of prosecution's case beyond a reasonable doubt, and thepresumption of innocence of the accused person, and the role of forensic evidence in such cases.