Bhote Koshi flood: DNA profiling gains pace

Rupandehi, Sept 10: The Nepal Police have intensified the DNA collection and testing for identifying the bodies of Nepali and foreign nationals who lost their lives in the Bhote Koshi flood.

In order to eliminate errors in identifying bodies, the Nepal Police have advanced sample testing in a detailed and organized way applying modern ‘forensic’ DNA profiling methods.

The Central Forensic Science Laboratory of the Nepal Police in Samakhushi is testing DNA samples collected from flood-affected areas and from the relatives of the deceased.

Police said scientific standards and available technology have been employed in all processes, from sample collection to secure storage and testing.

Spokesperson at the Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General Abhinarayan Kafle, said the police are prioritizing search, rescue, and body identification efforts after the disaster.

According to the lab chief, Senior Superintendent of Police Yog Bahadur Pal, the process of receiving samples from the deceased in flood-affected areas as well as from their relatives is ongoing.

Along with securely storing collected samples, the team is working round the clock to carry out DNA testing while fulfilling all testing standards.

The police have reported that a total of 1,240 samples have been so far received in the laboratory for DNA and related forensic testing.

It includes 808 blood samples from the deceased’s relatives and other sources, 348 samples collected from the deceased’s teeth and bones, and 84 samples related to the deceased’s fingerprints.

Blood samples for DNA profiling have been received from 26 districts so far. According to the latest data, a total of 2,678 DNA samples have been collected for body identification, including 1,286 from the deceased and 1,412 from their relatives.

Among the samples collected from the deceased include 354 from Chitwan, 70 from Dhading, 207 from Nuwakot, 134 from Rasuwa, 199 from Nawalparasi East, 38 from Tanahun, 71 from Gorkha, and 213 from Nawalparasi West, according to the police.

Similarly, 990 samples from the deceased’s relatives have been collected at the Nepal Police Hospital so far. Efforts are being intensified to collect samples from other districts.  #rss