Daily Current Affairs

Soon, DNA testing in all forensic labs of Himachal

Himachal Pradesh Polity and Governance

Himachal is all set to become the first state in the country to have the DNA testing facility and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation in all state and regional forensic laboratories.
The State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Junga, near Shimla, and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Dharamsala, had got the NABL accreditation in 2018 while a four-member team of forensic experts had inspected the facilities at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Mandi, on March 20 and 21 last.
They had also checked the working manuals, health safety, validated material and chemicals used in examination, said Director, SFSL, Arun Sharma.
The reports of labs accredited by the NABL are accepted internationally and have high credibility.
All infrastructure and manpower is in place for the DNA testing facility at RFSL, Dharamsala, and only a formal inauguration is awaited.
Earlier, the testing facility was introduced at the SFSL, Junga, in 2008 and in Mandi district on March 12 last. According to information, sexual assaults and rape incidents constitute 44 per cent of the cases received for the DNA profiling in Himachal. On an average, 500-600 samples are received annually.
Meanwhile, the next generation frequency equipment has been installed at the SFSL, Junga, at a cost of Rs 3 crore. It would help access even a burnt sample of DNA.