Standardizing Forensic Science System for Thailand Reform

Abstract

Credibility of forensic evidences is very important to court judgment. However, chronic problems in Thailand’s forensic science system can negatively affect credibility of forensic evidences during court trial. It was reported that the problems and causes, that can decrease credibility of forensic evidences, are arisen from the incompetent processes related to forensic evidence management, collection and investigation. The incompetence includes lack of efficiency, unity and universal standardization. Although many solutions are explicitly proposed by academics, practitioners and related persons, the problems have not yet been clearly solved. Currently, the office of the prime minister has announced the National Reform Plan B.E. 2561 (2018) on the issue titled “Forensic science system reform for the completeness of fact investigation.”, in order to respond to the problems which have long been occurred in Thailand’s forensic science system. However, the forensic science system reform plan is yet impractical and partially responds to the problems. In order to support and promote the forensic science system reform plan, this article aims to synthesize knowledge on forensic science system standards, compare forensic science system in Thailand to that of other countries, and suggest opportunities for improvement of Thailand’s forensic science system and forensic science system standardization models, which have never been published. These models cover all plausible and easy-to-follow solutions based on the international standards. They can be used for enactment of law and concrete reform of the forensic science system. Ultimately, they will return increased credibility of forensic evidences, and efficiency of justice administration.