DNA reveals dead boy’s identity

A DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC Acid ( DNA) test has confirmed that the remains of a charcoal burnt body that was discovered by police in Mkoba Village 20 recently is that of a four-year-old boy from Mkoba Village 15 who went missing last month.

Parents of Blessed Muringo had failed to identify the body which was found in a bushy area near Mkoba Village 20 two weeks ago by students from Top Class Private College. The body was burnt beyond recognition.

This prompted the law enforcers to employ sophisticated methods of identifying the body and ascertain whether the body was that of Blessed who went missing on 12 June.

DNA testing is a powerful and reliable tool for identification and has many practical applications. Common uses include, testing to establish if someone is the biological parent of a child or forensic testing to help identify suspects or victims in a criminal investigation.

Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed that the results of the DNA test came out positive showing that the body was that of the missing boy.

“I can confirm that the DNA results have confirmed that the body which was discovered in Mkoba Village 20 was that of Blessing Muringo who went missing in Mkoba 15,” she said.

The boy’s mother, Mrs Favourite Muringo, confirmed that the DNA results came out positive.

“The results came out positive. That means the body which was found by the police is that of our son who had gone missing,” she said.

Blessed was buried on Friday at Mutapa Cemetery. The body was discovered two weeks ago burnt beyond recognition with a damaged skull.