The Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata has been successful in drawing up the complete DNA profiles of only 15 of the 47 unidentified bodies of the victims of the Jnaneswari Express tragedy, since the samples collected from the rest of the bodies were “too contaminated” .
The laboratory could finally prepare the complete DNA profile of “around 15 bodies and body parts following three rounds of testing”, CFSL Director C. N. Bhattacharyya told TheHindu .
The remains of the victims of the tragic rail disaster that occurred on May 28 between Sardiha and Khemasuli stations of the State's Paschim Medinipur district are lying in the mortuaries of two State-run hospitals in the city for over a month now.
“The first two rounds did not produce any effective result and so we had to go for the third round. But we are happy that the profiles of at least 15 bodies could be done. The profiling of the rest bodies and body parts either could not be done or could be partially done since they were too contaminated,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.
The CFSL is currently comparing the DNA results to the genetic make-up of the blood samples collected from the blood relatives-cum-claimants of the bodies.
“We have to be extremely cautious about the process since both the matters of compensation and human sentiments are attached to it. We hope to submit the final report to the State Government by July 9,” Mr. Bhattacharya added.
The State government, meanwhile, has already declared that if the identities of the bodies could not be established even after the third round of DNA testing, it will seek the permission of the High Court to cremate the bodies in the presence of the claimants.
The decision came after the State's Health Department raised the issue that storing the highly decomposed bodies in the mortuaries has become difficult.
