Global biotechnology company Life Technologies has launched India’s first private DNA forensics laboratory here, which is expected to accelerate sampling process and thereby reduce the burden on existing forensic laboratories.
“Life Technologies DNA Forensics Laboratory will reduce the burden on the existing forensic system and address the requirements of DNA database generation for unidentified dead bodies or other crime investigations,” said Devashish Ohri, Managing Director of Life Technologies South Asia.
Currently, there are 28 laboratories for forensic DNA investigation and testing in the country. But many of them are overburdened with cases and have sample backlogs.
Till the beginning of 2013, there was a backlog of 862 crime cases in the DNA division of the Delhi State Forensic Science Laboratory alone, Mr. Ohri said, adding that for India’s size and population, the number of labs should ideally be about 400.
The lab here is equipped with advanced DNA testing systems and will facilitate a broad range of DNA testing including paternity testing, kinship testing, DNA profiling for database generation, and forensic DNA analysis.
Nadia Altomare, Vice President and General Manager for Life Technologies Human Identification Business, said: “DNA technology has widely been accepted as the most effective crime fighting tool among law enforcement agencies for a variety of applications, including sexual assault, missing persons and disaster victim identification. It’s also the primary technology used for performing paternity and kinship testing.”
The Life Forensics Laboratory will meet international standards for DNA testing.
“The opening of a laboratory shows strong commitment by Life Technologies to partner with Government agencies in this vital area. I am sure this lab would bring more efficiency and improve the available forensic capabilities.” said Dr. J.R Gaur, Principal Scientific Officer (Life Science) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and former Director of State Forensic Science Laboratory.
Mr. Ohri added, “We are looking forward to partnering with the State and Central Government laboratories to assist in the establishment of a DNA database project.”
