Lawmaker Pushes for Autonomous Forensic Services in Mexico's Investigations

In a significant move towards strengthening Mexico's justice system, Representative Gabriela Sodi of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) has proposed a crucial reform of Article 21 of the Political Constitution. This reform aims to establish autonomous, independent, and professional expert services across the Federation and the states, providing scientific data to the Public Ministry to enhance the development of criminal investigations. The initiative, submitted to the Constitutional Points Commission, also suggests modifying Section XXIII of Article 73 of the Magna Carta, empowering the Congress of the Union to issue general legislation regulating expert services.

The primary goal of this reform is to create a first-class forensic body composed of highly trained specialists, offering free expert services to citizens. By doing so, the initiative seeks to improve the preparation, performance, and working conditions of forensic experts. This reform responds to national and international human rights organizations' recommendations, emphasizing the need for autonomous services to strengthen the justice system and uphold human rights in Mexico.

Deputy Sodi argues that autonomous expert services are crucial for providing the State, particularly prosecutor's offices, with scientific evidence that leads to unequivocal and reliable conclusions in criminal investigations. She highlights the current issues plaguing forensic services, including lack of professionalism, corruption, and political pressure, which undermine the right to justice for all citizens.

In many instances, forensic experts' work is influenced not by scientific observations but by directives from Public Ministry agents, hindering the integration of multidisciplinary expert teams necessary for professional investigations. This dependence on prosecutor's offices results in a lack of technical capacity, inadequate professionalization, poor salaries, insufficient forensic skills, and institutional neglect of forensic activities.

To address these challenges, the proposed reform aims to create essential conditions for experts and forensic specialists to professionalize, receive proper training, and work under improved conditions that meet citizens' demands. By establishing autonomous expert services, the reform seeks to eliminate the current system's deficiencies and foster a more reliable and just forensic process.

The reform has significant implications for Mexico's justice system and human rights landscape. Autonomous forensic services are expected to provide unbiased, scientifically backed evidence, thereby ensuring fairer trials and more accurate verdicts. This change aligns with global standards and best practices, reflecting Mexico's commitment to advancing its judicial system and protecting human rights.

Representative Gabriela Sodi's proposal to reform Article 21 of the Political Constitution represents a pivotal step towards enhancing Mexico's forensic services. By establishing autonomous, professional expert services, the initiative aims to improve the quality and reliability of forensic evidence, thereby strengthening the justice system and upholding human rights. This reform is crucial for ensuring that all citizens have access to fair and unbiased justice, free from corruption and political influence.