n November 4, Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir, one of the founders of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and a pioneer in the field of forensic science in Pakistan, died of a cardiac arrest in the United States.

Speaking to The News on Sunday after the sad demise of Dr Tahir, Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi said, “Dr Ashraf Tahir was a luminary in the realm of forensic sciences. His departure has left an irreplaceable void.”

Dr Tahir transcended individual concerns. Throughout his remarkable career, he demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to adapt to the evolving challenges of law enforcement and investigative procedures.

Naqvi says his innovative approach and unwavering dedication have etched an enduring imprint on the landscape of criminal justice in this country.

He says the void caused by Dr Tahir’s departure will be hard to fill. His legacy will serve as an enduring source of inspiration for future generations, and his contributions to the advancement of the nation will be remembered with profound gratitude.

“We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones during this challenging period. May he rest in peace. May we continue to carry forth his commitment to fostering a safer and more just nation”, he added.

In a post on social media platform X, former premier Shahbaz Sharif wrote that he was saddened by the passing of Dr Tahir, the founding director general of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.

“With his vast experience and pioneering work in the forensic disciplines, we were able to establish Pakistan’s first ever state-of-the-art forensic science agency in Lahore,” the post reads.

Sharif wrote that he was deeply indebted to Dr Tahir for his remarkable contributions as one of the founders of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.

“My sincere condolences go to his family, colleagues and friends. May Allah rest his soul in peace,” he concluded.

Dr Tahir embarked on his distinguished professional journey in 1976 at the Youngstown Police Department Crime Laboratory in the United States, where he started as a bench scientist. Eventually, he ascended to the position of executive director.

His dedication to forensic science took him next to the Illinois State Police Forensic Services, Chicago, where he served as a Forensic Biologist from June 1978 until November 1990. Following this, he took on the role of Forensic Biology and DNA Technical Manager for Marion County, contributing his expertise for a remarkable 15 years.

Upon retiring from Marion County, Dr Tahir co-founded a private forensic DNA testing laboratory named Strand Analytical Lab in Indianapolis, which achieved notable success. Subsequently, he became the executive director of the Cuyahoga County Forensic Science Laboratories where he served until 2011. His expertise in the field was validated by his certification as an assessor for the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.

Fakhar Rizvi, a forensic science expert who had worked with Dr Tahir, recalls that his international reputation as a credible professional in forensic science had led to his appointment as a consultant by the Government of the Punjab to establish the Punjab Forensic Science Agency while he was still working at the Cuyahoga County Forensic Science Laboratories.

Dr Tahir transcended individual concerns. Throughout his remarkable career, he demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to adapt to the evolving challenges of law enforcement and investigative procedures.

“In this capacity, he not only designed a state-of-the-art laboratory but also oversaw the training of scientific staff. Dr Tahir’s leadership and consultancy were pivotal in facilitating the swift procurement and installation of cutting-edge equipment at the PFSA,” Rizvi says.

Under his dedicated leadership, the PFSA aimed to become a full-service forensic laboratory, encompassing fourteen forensic disciplines under one roof. Dr Tahir took the helm as the director general in 2011. Under his guidance, the agency earned recognition as one of the world’s largest laboratories in terms of personnel and caseload. The PFSA, which spans nearly 170,000 square feet, employs approximately 1,062 workers (including non-scientific staff) and handles nearly 1.5 million exhibits annually.

Since its inception, the PFSA has adhered to ISO 17025 standards. Thanks to Dr Tahir’s unwavering dedication and leadership, it achieved its first ISO 17025:2005 accreditation in a record time of five years. A technical expert and assessor from the Czech Republic praised the agency, stating that it was for the first time in a decade that he had seen an organisation undergo assessment with only one minor non-compliance out of 228 clauses. The PFSA, he said, had become a role model for organisations worldwide.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Tahir remained an active member of various prestigious forensics organisations. He was appointed to the FBI director’s DNA Advisory Board and served as a member of the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis-FBI from 1990 to 2004. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and served as a member of the Editorial Board of the Science International journal.

Dr Tahir’s outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed. He was honoured with several awards. The accolades included the Deputy Director’s Merit Award from the State of Illinois for his exceptional work in the field of forensic serology in 1980; the Distinguished Service Award from the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists for his significant contributions to the advancement and practice of forensic science in 1990; and a Unit Citation from the mayor of the city of Indianapolis in 1996 for his work in homicide investigations. In 2000, he received an award from the FBI director for his exemplary service in advancing quality standards for forensic DNA analysis in the United States.

In 2017, Dr Tahir was bestowed with the civil award, Pride of Performance, in the field of science by the president of Pakistan. Subsequently, he also received the Chief Minister’s Award for top performance in 2018 and an Appreciation for exceptional contribution in implementing the Expeditious Justice Initiative in the province of the Punjab from the Chief Justice of Pakistan in 2020.

His most significant achievement was the establishment of a full-service state-of-the-art forensic science laboratory in Pakistan, where there was previously no foundation for forensic science. The laboratory earned accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Services ISO-17025 in 2017 and compliance with the FBI director’s Quality Assurance Standards for forensic and database analysis.

His most recent achievement was the establishment of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, an independent training facility spanning 131,000 square feet, designed to train scientists from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and other parts of the country.

Throughout his forensics career, Dr Tahir made substantial contributions to the field, publishing over 100 articles in reputable international journals. He worked on numerous criminal cases, including homicides, rapes, sexual assaults, burglaries, thefts, kidnappings, car-jackings and serial killings. This led him to testify in courts of law throughout the United States of America in hundreds of cases, including some high-profile cases like Mike Tyson’s rape trial and the Sam Sheppard murder case.

The writer is a journalist based in Lahore. He reports on politics, economy and militancy. He can be reached on X at @Hassannaqvi5