The Prosecution
Has a Scientist.
The Defence Does Not.
In every Indian criminal trial, the State's laboratory prepares the forensic report, its analyst testifies, and the defence receives a conclusion — without access to the raw data, equipment logs, or validated methodology the law requires. Fide Forensic Foundation exists to correct that imbalance — providing defence counsel and legal aid authorities with forensic audits, expert opinions, and courtroom testimony of equivalent scientific authority to that held by the State.
"Expert evidence with undisclosed methodology carries no evidentiary weight."
— State of HP v. Jai Lal, (1999) 7 SCC 280
An adversarial system.
One-sided science.
Government laboratories prepare the prosecution's forensic report. Their analysts testify for the prosecution. The defence is given a summary conclusion — denied access to raw data, equipment logs, and the methodology behind it.
The Supreme Court has held that expert evidence with undisclosed methodology carries no evidentiary weight. The law demands scientific rigour. The system withholds it from the defence side.
That is the condition Fide Forensic Foundation was established to correct.
End-to-end scientific support
for the defence.
Six core services delivered by empanelled senior forensic scientists — calibrated to your court's calendar, admissible under Indian evidentiary law.
FSL Report Audit
Structured scientific review against SWGDAM, ISO 17025, and applicable Indian standards.
Learn more →Expert Opinion Report
Signed, court-admissible opinion under Section 45, BSA 2023 — authored by senior scientists.
Learn more →Cross-Examination Brief
Question-by-question tactical guide targeting procedural lapses and interpretive overreach.
Learn more →Judicial Summary
Plain-language brief for the Bench on what the evidence proves — and what it does not.
Learn more →Expert Witness Appearance
In-person or video testimony from empanelled senior scientists at any judicial level.
Learn more →Pre-Trial Consultation
Early identification of evidentiary vulnerabilities. Free of charge, within 48 hours.
Learn more →Built for every stage
of the justice process.
Defence Counsel
Scientific foundation for independent case review, cross-examination strategy, and expert witness support across all judicial levels.
Undertrials & Families
A rigorous second opinion on the government FSL report, through direct submission or legal aid referral.
Legal Aid Authorities
Open to structured MOU partnerships with SLSA and DLSA to deliver expert forensic reviews on monthly case lists, eliminating per-case court orders.
Criminal Justice Institutions
Technical forensic integration for NGOs, prison legal aid clinics, and law school clinics handling active criminal caseloads.
Every peak. Every position.
Every interpretation tested against the underlying data.
Built from three decades
within the system.
Fide Forensic Foundation is a Section 8 not-for-profit — India's first independent forensic review institution. Our empanelled panel comprises retired senior scientists from top Indian government institutions, bringing laboratory authority to the defence side of Indian criminal proceedings.
Beyond DNA, the Foundation provides audits across the full spectrum of forensic science admitted in Indian courts.
The FSL report your client is being convicted on — have you read beyond the conclusion?
Forensic reports contain methodological gaps, disclosure deficiencies, and interpretive overreach. They go unchallenged in court — not because the challenge is unavailable, but because independent scientific support has not existed on the defence side. Until now.
You cross-examine government forensic analysts without access to the raw data they relied on, the equipment logs behind the output, or the laboratory protocols they were supposed to follow. You challenge technical testimony without a scientist of your own.
You are not outprepared.
You are outresourced.
The disadvantage is not in your preparation. It is in the materials available to you. State laboratories certify their own competence; their analysts testify to their own conclusions; the underlying record — raw instrument output, calibration data, validation logs, contamination controls — remains inside the laboratory unless specifically summoned.
You enter the witness box with a one-page conclusion. The prosecution enters with the entire file. This is not a preparation failure. It is a resource asymmetry — and Fide Forensic Foundation is structured to eliminate it.
Independent Indian journalism has documented instances where FSL analysts have reported pressure from senior officials to alter findings in filed reports. Without an independent scientist on the defence side, such interference is structurally impossible to identify.— Structural observation · the case for independent review
How we work with you.
Share materials through our encrypted channel.
Share the FSL report, charge sheet, and case details via our encrypted submission form. All materials are received as confidential professional engagements — transmitted, stored, and reviewed under professional confidentiality protocols.
Structured review by senior empanelled scientists.
Our empanelled scientists conduct a structured review: chain of custody integrity, methodology compliance, raw data analysis, profile interpretation, and report disclosure completeness. We identify the technical gaps that go unnoticed by counsel without forensic training.
Court-ready documents. Expert witness support.
You receive an Expert Review Report, a tactical cross-examination brief, and a plain-language judicial summary — all court-ready. Where required, our scientists appear in person or via video conference as expert witnesses.
Six deliverables. One standard.
One line per service — full detail on the Services page.
FSL Report Audit
Methodology, chain of custody, raw data, and disclosure scrutinised against SWGDAM and ISO 17025 — the internationally recognised standards for forensic laboratory competence and DNA interpretation.
Expert Opinion Report
Formal signed document admissible under Section 45, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 — authored by empanelled senior scientists, presenting an independent scientific finding on contested forensic evidence.
Cross-Examination Brief
Case-specific tactical guide targeting electropherogram gaps, statistical errors, and interpretive overreach. Translates forensic science into precise legal leverage.
Judicial Summary
Concise, jargon-free aide for the Bench — what the evidence establishes, and what it does not. Designed for bail hearings, Sessions trials, and appellate proceedings.
Pre-Trial Consultation
Free, within 48 hours: early identification of evidentiary vulnerabilities before the FSL report is exhibited. The most strategic point of intervention.
Expert Witness Testimony
Examination-in-chief and cross-examination support at trial, Sessions, High Court, and Supreme Court levels — in person or via video conference.
Forensic disciplines we audit.
If your case involves a forensic discipline not listed here, contact us for a preliminary feasibility assessment.
We calibrate delivery
to your court calendar.
Every undertrial deserves the same forensic scrutiny — regardless of what they can afford.
The right to a fair trial does not stop at the laboratory door. Accused persons routinely face forensic evidence they cannot independently challenge — not because the law denies them that right, but because the technical infrastructure to exercise it has been absent from the legal aid framework.
Fide Forensic Foundation is structured to provide that infrastructure.
"The quality of a defence must not be determined by financial capacity."
— Foundation Operating Principle
Our legal aid mandate.
The Foundation is a Section 8 not-for-profit with a single operating principle: the quality of a defence must not be determined by financial capacity.
Every service the Foundation offers — FSL audits, Expert Opinion Reports, cross-examination briefs, judicial summaries, and expert witness testimony — is provided at no cost to individuals who qualify under NALSA eligibility criteria and Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
There is no reduced scope. We apply the same scientific standard to every case.
Zero cost. Zero reduction in scope or rigour.
- · Same empanelled senior scientists across every matter the Foundation accepts
- · Same seven-point audit methodology
- · Same court-ready deliverables
- · Same expert witness availability
We serve.
Legal Services Authorities
NALSA / SLSA / DLSA
We partner under formal MOUs that allow authorities to submit monthly case lists for forensic review — eliminating per-case court order requirements. We manage expert assignment, conduct the audit, and return court-ready reports within committed timelines.
Legal Aid NGOs & Undertrial Support Organisations
Organisations with active criminal caseloads can refer cases directly. We provide forensic infrastructure for NDPS matters, POCSO cases, human rights documentation, and death penalty defence — at no cost to the accused.
Law School Legal Aid Clinics
We serve as a Technical Partner to clinical legal education programs, providing direct forensic case support, faculty advisory consultation, and forensic literacy training for student advocates.
Panel Advocates & Legal Aid Counsel
If you represent a client who meets Section 12 eligibility, submit the FSL report directly. We conduct a conflict check, accept the matter, and deliver a comprehensive court-ready report to counsel.
Forensic Literacy Programme.
For institutions building in-house technical capacity.
For Panel Advocates
Reading FSL reports, identifying contestable findings, framing cross-examination, and understanding when to seek independent review.
For Paralegal & Field Teams
Identifying forensic evidence issues during initial intake and jail visits. Early documentation protocols for field operations.
For Law Schools & Faculty
Applied curriculum support covering DNA, digital forensics, toxicology, and BSA 2023 certification requirements.
Independent forensic review — from the laboratory report to the witness box.
Every service is delivered by empanelled senior forensic scientists with decades of casework experience at India's premier institutions. All reports include citations to applicable statutes, ISO/IEC standards, peer-reviewed literature, and relevant equipment protocols. Deliverables are calibrated to your court's calendar.
"Every deliverable is a scientific document — authored, signed, and defensible under cross-examination."
FSL Report Audit.
Fide Forensic's Seven-Point FSL Audit Protocol — the methodology applied to every case we accept.
Formal Expert Review Report
For court submission. Cited, structured, and authored by the empanelled scientist assigned to the matter.
Expert Opinion Report.
A formal signed document authored by an empanelled senior scientist — an independent scientific opinion on contested evidence, not a summary of the prosecution's report.
Admissible under Section 45 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023.
Cross-Examination Brief.
A case-specific tactical guide for defence counsel. We translate the science into precise legal leverage.
- 01 Procedural lapses in sample handling and chain of custody
- 02 Laboratory accreditation and analyst qualification gaps
- 03 Conclusions that exceed the actual supporting data
- 04 Statistical omissions or errors in probability calculations
- 05 Missing technical records in the filed report
Judicial Summary.
A plain-language brief that clarifies for the Court what the forensic evidence establishes — and where its limitations lie. Free of jargon. Designed for submission alongside an Expert Opinion Report, or independently.
Particularly relevant for bail hearings, Sessions trials, and appellate proceedings challenging a conviction.
Expert Witness Appearance.
Our empanelled scientists provide testimony across India — Trial Courts, Sessions Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court. In person or via video conference.
- Pre-hearing conference with defence counsel
- Structured examination-in-chief preparation
- Cross-examination under Section 45, BSA 2023
- Post-hearing technical affidavits or clarifications as directed by the Court
Pre-Trial Consultation.
The earliest — and most strategic — point of intervention, before charges are framed or forensic evidence is exhibited.
- Establishing precisely what the forensic data proves versus what the prosecution claims
- Identifying vulnerabilities before trial begins
- Determining whether a full Expert Opinion Report is warranted
- Framing applications under Section 94, BNSS 2023, to summon raw FSL records and data
Legal Aid Forensic Review.
All services above are available at no cost to individuals of limited means.
Zero cost means zero reduction in scope or scientific rigour.
- · Referral through NALSA / SLSA / DLSA or empanelled legal aid NGOs
- · Representation by panel advocates
- · Section 12 income eligibility
- · Undertrials in judicial custody (priority)
Forensic Literacy Training.
Structured training modules for legal institutions building in-house forensic capacity.
NALSA / SLSA / DLSA · Bar Associations · Law School Legal Aid Cells · Criminal Justice NGOs
The science has been questioned. The courts have said so.
Standards, precedents, legislation, and verified reporting — curated for defence lawyers, legal aid practitioners, and courts engaging with forensic evidence in Indian criminal proceedings.
International standards · Indian legislation · landmark Supreme Court and High Court judgments · peer-reviewed research · verified journalism documenting forensic institutional failure.
International & Indian standards.
ISO/IEC 17025
International standard for forensic laboratory competence: personnel, method validation, and quality assurance.
NABL Accreditation
India's domestic laboratory standard. Non-compliance is a direct audit finding before courts.
SWGDAM Guidelines
International consensus on DNA interpretation, mixture analysis, and statistical reporting.
ISFG Recommendations
International Society for Forensic Genetics standards on DNA evidence and probabilistic genotyping.
SWGFAST · SWGDOC · SWGTOX
Discipline-specific standards for fingerprint, document, and toxicology examination.
Manufacturer Technical Documentation
Validated protocols and known error parameters for FSL instruments. Deviation is a primary audit target.
The John Butler Series — Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing · Buckleton et al., Forensic DNA Evidence Interpretation · Rudin & Inman, An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis
The operative legislative basis
for forensic evidence and independent review.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Sections 45 (Expert Opinion) and 63 (Electronic Records).
Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Sections 45 and 65B (operative in pre-BSA matters).
BNSS, 2023
Section 94 (summoning FSL records and raw data).
CrPC, 1973
Section 293 (government scientific expert reports).
NDPS Act, 1985
Provisions on chemical analysis admissibility.
DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019
Not yet enacted — regulatory framework for DNA evidence in Indian courts remains governed by general evidence law.
Courts have set aside convictions.
Dismissed FSL reports. Demanded disclosure.
These are the judgments that matter.
Disclosed methodology is the precondition for evidentiary weight.
Expert evidence must disclose the data, methodology, and reasoning behind its conclusions. A bare assertion from an FSL analyst — however qualified — without disclosure of the underlying methodology carries no evidentiary weight.
Read on Indian Kanoon ↗A three-part admissibility test for expert evidence.
Recognised field of expertise, reliable principles, qualified expert. Without disclosed data, the expert opinion may be inadmissible. The Supreme Court reaffirmed the standard set in Jai Lal.
Read on Indian Kanoon ↗Conviction set aside on incomplete forensic evidence chains.
Life imprisonment of two Italian nationals was set aside by the Supreme Court after finding incomplete circumstantial and forensic evidence — including inconsistent post-mortem findings and missing electronic records — insufficient to sustain a murder conviction.
Read on Indian Kanoon ↗Fingerprint evidence dismissed — no methodology, no weight.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court (Justices Lalit, Malhotra, Murari) acquitted three accused — one on death row — after finding the fingerprint evidence unreliable. The Court flagged the constable's lack of training, absence of procedural documentation for lifting latent prints, and the principle that fingerprint expert evidence alone cannot sustain a conviction without substantive corroboration.
Read on Indian Kanoon ↗Documented institutional failure.
Supreme Court Coverage on FSL & Forensic Evidence
Court-documented FSL lapses, expert evidence rulings, and their consequences for the accused. India's leading independent legal news platform, updated continuously.
Read on LiveLaw ↗Forensic Science India Report (FSIR)
The most rigorous institutional audit of Indian forensic science practice — examining DNA profiling divisions, expert evidence law, and a framework for regulating FSLs. Authored under Project 39A (now The Square Circle Clinic at NALSAR, Hyderabad).
Learn more at TSCC ↗Criminal Justice & Forensics Research
Research and pro bono representation on forensics, the death penalty, legal aid, mental health, and prevention of torture. Formerly Project 39A at NLU Delhi; now at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
Follow their work ↗Institutional research aligned with our mission.
The Square Circle Clinic
NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
India's most rigorous institutional research on FSL quality, expert evidence standards, and forensic litigation. The entire Project 39A team transitioned from NLU Delhi to NALSAR Hyderabad in April 2025, continuing as The Square Circle Clinic. Directly aligned with the Foundation's mission.
Innocence Project
Forensic Problems & Wrongful Convictions
Unvalidated or improper forensic science is a contributing factor in approximately 50% of wrongful convictions overturned by DNA testing in the United States. The failure typology — interpretive overreach, statistical error, evidence suppression — applies directly to Indian FSL practice.
Read the article ↗Innocence Project
Misapplication of Forensic Science
A deeper overview of unvalidated forensic disciplines — bite mark comparison, hair microscopy, footwear and tire treads, tool marks, latent fingerprint identification — and the specific ways in which misleading testimony has contributed to wrongful convictions.
Read ↗Building the infrastructure for independent forensic justice.
The gap in India's forensic justice system will not be closed by a single institution. We are seeking scientists, legal professionals, and strategic partners who understand what is at stake — and are prepared to safeguard scientific truth in our courts.
"We are seeking alignment, not volume."
Three roles.
One operating principle.
Retired Forensic Scientists
& Forensic Faculty
State Representatives
Court-Level Case Associates
Structured partnerships
with legal aid & academic institutions.
Legal Aid NGOs & Undertrial Support Organisations
Formal MOUs enabling direct, zero-cost forensic reviews for your clients — bypassing complex referral chains. Co-delivered forensic literacy training available for your legal teams.
Law Schools & Legal Aid Clinics
Integration of forensic evidence training into clinical legal education curricula, expert panel access for student-handled cases, and joint research on forensic justice in India.
Submit an Expression of Interest.
We are seeking alignment, not volume. We want professionals who have spent careers inside laboratories and courts, and who know exactly where the systemic gaps lie.
All expressions of interest are received in confidence and reviewed solely by Foundation leadership.
Submit a case. We respond within 48 hours.
All case submissions are received as confidential professional engagements. Data shared here is encrypted and used exclusively for technical audit by our empanelled experts.
Submit a Case for Review
All fields marked with * are required.
Data shared here is encrypted in transit and at rest, and is used exclusively for technical audit by our empanelled forensic scientists. See the Privacy Policy for full detail.
Find Us
Fide Forensic Foundation
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Phone
+91 9490 345 123Business Hours
Monday – Friday
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday — by appointment only
Follow Us
Frequently asked questions.
All other matters: a standard engagement fee applies. As a Section 8 not-for-profit, every rupee received is reinvested directly into the Foundation's zero-cost legal aid casework.
Privacy Policy.
How Fide Forensic Foundation collects, uses, stores, and protects your information.
Fide Forensic Foundation ("the Foundation") is a Section 8 not-for-profit institution registered in India, operating from Hyderabad, Telangana. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") governs the collection, use, storage, and protection of personally identifiable information ("Personal Information") submitted through fideforensic.org ("the Website") or any other official communication channel operated by the Foundation.
By submitting a case, contacting the Foundation, or using this Website, you expressly consent to the collection, storage, and use of your Personal Information as described in this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
To assess and deliver forensic review services, the Foundation may collect: full name and designation; contact details including phone number and email address; location and court jurisdiction; case-specific information including FIR number, case number, stage of proceedings, and hearing dates; documents uploaded by you including FSL reports, charge sheets, court orders, and related materials; and any other information voluntarily provided for forensic assessment.
2. Purpose of Collection
Information is used solely to assess whether independent forensic review is warranted; assign an appropriate empanelled forensic expert; communicate with you or your counsel; prepare and deliver Expert Opinion Reports, FSL Audits, Cross-Examination Briefs, Judicial Summaries, and related court-ready documents; manage institutional referrals from NALSA, SLSA, DLSA, and empanelled legal aid NGOs; comply with binding court orders or legal obligations; investigate potential misuse of Foundation services; and protect the rights, property, and safety of the Foundation, its empanelled experts, and the persons it serves.
The Foundation does not use your Personal Information for marketing, advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to your matter.
3. Confidentiality
All case submissions are received as confidential professional engagements. Personal Information and case documents are not disclosed to any third party — including the prosecution, law enforcement agencies, government bodies, or any party to the proceedings — except where required by a binding court order addressed directly to the Foundation, where required under applicable Indian law, or where you have expressly authorised a specific disclosure.
Empanelled experts and administrative staff assigned to a matter are bound by confidentiality obligations and are permitted access only to information necessary for their specific role.
4. Information Sharing
The Foundation does not rent, sell, or share Personal Information with third parties for commercial purposes. Information may be shared with empanelled forensic scientists assigned to your matter, with legal aid authorities (NALSA, SLSA, DLSA) where the matter is referred through those channels, with the Foundation's administrative and legal support partners under appropriate confidentiality arrangements, or where required by law.
5. Document Security
Case documents uploaded through the Website are stored on secure servers. Access is restricted to empanelled experts and administrative staff directly involved in the relevant matter. The Foundation implements reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect Personal Information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. The Foundation seeks compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.
6. Cookies and Tracking
The Foundation's Website does not use advertising networks, tracking pixels, or behavioural analytics. Limited functional cookies may be used for form submission and basic site operation. No personally identifiable information is collected through cookies. The Website is hosted on Netlify; standard server logs may record IP addresses, browser type, and access timestamps for security and operational purposes only.
7. Third-Party Links
The Website contains links to external resources including Indian Kanoon, Project 39A, LiveLaw, and other reference sources. The Foundation is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any third-party website they visit.
8. Retention
Personal Information and case documents are retained for five years from the date of the last communication relating to the matter, after which they are securely deleted. Information may be retained beyond this period where required to comply with applicable law or a court order, resolve a dispute, investigate potential misuse, or protect the rights or safety of the Foundation or the persons it serves. You may request earlier deletion by writing to contact@fideforensic.org.
9. Your Rights
You have the right to request access to the Personal Information the Foundation holds about you; request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information; request deletion of your information subject to applicable retention obligations; and withdraw consent for any use of information not required for services already underway. To exercise these rights, contact the Foundation at contact@fideforensic.org. Requests will be acknowledged at the earliest opportunity following receipt.
10. Changes to this Policy
The Foundation reserves the right to update, modify, or revise this Policy at any time. The revised Policy will be published on this page with a new effective date. Continued use of the Website following revision constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy. Material changes will be prominently indicated on the Website for a reasonable period.
11. Grievance
In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder, any grievance relating to the processing of Personal Information may be directed to: Grievance Officer, Fide Forensic Foundation · contact@fideforensic.org · +91 9490 345 123 · Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The Foundation will employ all reasonable efforts to address and resolve grievances at the earliest opportunity following receipt.
This Policy applies solely to information collected through fideforensic.org and the Foundation's official communication channels. It does not apply to third-party websites linked from this Website.
Terms of Service.
The terms governing access to and use of fideforensic.org and the Foundation's services.
Fide Forensic Foundation ("the Foundation") is a Section 8 not-for-profit institution registered in India, operating from Hyderabad, Telangana. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of fideforensic.org ("the Website") and all services provided by the Foundation through the Website, WhatsApp, email, or any other official communication channel.
By accessing the Website, submitting a case, or engaging the Foundation's services in any capacity, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety. These Terms are to be read in conjunction with the Foundation's Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of this agreement.
1. Not Legal Advice
Nothing on this Website — and nothing communicated by the Foundation through any channel including email, WhatsApp, telephone, or formal written correspondence — constitutes legal advice, legal opinion, or legal representation of any kind. The Foundation is not a law firm. It does not hold a licence to practise law in India or any other jurisdiction.
All Expert Opinion Reports, FSL Audits, Cross-Examination Briefs, Judicial Summaries, and other deliverables produced by the Foundation are scientific documents authored by forensic scientists. Their admissibility, use, and evidentiary weight before any court is a matter for the court and the instructing counsel — not for the Foundation. Users are strongly advised to obtain independent legal advice from a qualified advocate on all legal questions arising from their matter.
2. Nature and Scope of Services
The Foundation provides independent forensic review services in Indian criminal proceedings through empanelled senior forensic scientists, under Section 45 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Submitting a case constitutes a request for preliminary forensic assessment only; it does not create a binding engagement, guarantee acceptance, or establish any professional relationship prior to the Foundation's written confirmation of acceptance.
Upon acceptance of a matter, scope of engagement, deliverables, timelines, and — where relevant — fee arrangements are confirmed in writing to instructing counsel or the referring authority.
3. User Eligibility and Conduct
By submitting case materials, you represent that you are the lawful holder or authorised representative entitled to share such materials; that you are authorised to share them for forensic assessment; that sharing does not violate any subsisting court order or applicable law; that the information provided is accurate and complete; and that you are not submitting materials for any purpose other than forensic assessment and review. Misrepresentation or submission of fabricated documents constitutes a material breach of these Terms.
4. Turnaround and Timelines
Published timelines — 48 hours for Pre-Trial Consultations and urgent bail reviews, 3–5 working days for Cross-Examination Briefs, 7–10 working days for FSL Audits, and 10–14 working days for Expert Opinion Reports — are indicative and provided in good faith. Timelines may be affected by case complexity, expert availability, delays in receipt of materials, or circumstances beyond the Foundation's control.
5. Fees and Legal Aid
Privately Retained Matters: An indicative fee schedule is provided on enquiry, based on nature of service, forensic discipline, complexity, and whether expert witness appearance is required. Fees are confirmed in writing prior to commencement.
Legal Aid Matters: All services are available without charge to individuals meeting Section 12 income criteria, accused persons in judicial custody, persons represented by panel advocates under NALSA / SLSA / DLSA, and persons referred by an empanelled legal aid NGO. Zero cost means zero reduction in scope, scientific rigour, or quality. Funded through government retainers, institutional case-based fees, and justice sector grants.
6. Confidentiality
All case submissions are received as confidential professional engagements. The Foundation does not disclose case information to any third party except where required by binding court order, applicable law, or your express written authorisation.
7. Intellectual Property
All Website content — text, service descriptions, page structure, the Foundation's Seven-Point FSL Audit Protocol, cross-examination frameworks, training module content, and resource library curation — is the sole intellectual property of Fide Forensic Foundation, protected under the Copyright Act, 1957. No content may be reproduced without prior written permission.
8. Limitation of Liability
The Foundation's liability is strictly limited to the direct and proximate consequences of a proven failure to deliver the specific services confirmed in writing for that matter. The Foundation expressly excludes liability for the outcome of any criminal proceeding, any judicial finding regarding admissibility or weight, and consequences arising from third-party actions. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for fraud, wilful default, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable Indian law.
9. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Website and its content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. The Foundation makes no representation or warranty regarding accuracy, completeness, currency, or fitness for purpose of any content published on the Website.
10. Third-Party Links
The Foundation does not endorse, control, or accept responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of any third-party website linked from the Website. Users should review the privacy policies and terms of any external website they visit.
11. Amendments
The Foundation reserves the right to amend, modify, or replace these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Website following publication of revised Terms constitutes unconditional acceptance.
12. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found by a competent court to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed; the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any dispute arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent civil courts at Hyderabad, Telangana.
These Terms apply solely to the use of fideforensic.org and the Foundation's official communication channels. They do not apply to third-party websites linked from this Website.