Himachal to have upgraded DNA testing facilities at forensic labs

SHIMLA: The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Himachal Pradesh is all set to make new DNA technology upgrades to its state and two range forensic sci ence laboratories (RFSLs) that will increase the number of cases being analysed, an official said on Thursday.

The FSL in Junga near here is the first in the country to initiate well-equipped DNA facilities in all its labs.

The aim is to accelerate the DNA profiling process that will lead to quicker investigation and trial, thus fast-tracking the crimi nal justice system, he added.

According to a three-year data shared by the state FSL, sexua assault/rape makes up for 44% of the total cases received for DNA profiling. A total of 900 cases are still pending for DNA analysis and 14% of this number are sam ples from victims of sexual assault. These new DNA technol ogy upgrades will essentially bring down the number of unsolved sexual assault crimes in the state.

“To start with FSL has invested over ₹1.5 crore on a new 24 capillary DNA Sequencer that will replace the older four-capil lary sequencer,” said, Dr Arun Sharma, director, state forensic science laboratory. He said ₹30 lakhs were being spent on a Robotic DNA Extraction System that enhances the quantity and quality of DNA extraction, and ₹1.25 crore on purchasing auto mated DNA sequencers for our range FSLs. HTC