Forensic Science Unravels Identities from Tragic Air India Crash

The Directorate of Forensic Science's DNA Lab in Gujarat is spearheading efforts to identify victims of a catastrophic Air India flight crash. Utilizing cutting-edge DNA testing techniques, scientists and forensic specialists work tirelessly to discern the identities of the deceased. The Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London met a tragic end shortly after takeoff on Thursday, claiming 241 of the 242 people onboard. Passengers included 230 civilians and 12 crew members, leaving one survivor, British citizen Vishwashkumar Ramesh, currently under medical care. The crash also claimed 33 lives at a nearby doctors' hostel, intensifying the identification efforts.

The identification process within the DNA Lab is divided into four crucial stages. Initial analysis takes place in the Isolation Lab, where postmortem samples and human remains collected from the crash site are scrutinized. Forensic experts face the daunting task of extracting DNA from compromised materials like charred bones, teeth, and tissue fragments, employing chemical treatments and advanced machinery. Afterward, samples progress to the Quantification Lab, where their DNA quality and quantity undergo rigorous assessment using tools like real-time PCR machines and automated liquid systems to ensure only viable samples advance.

The third phase unfolds in the PCR Lab, where amplified DNA ensures adequate material for analysis. Thermal cycler machines and STR kits play a vital role in amplifying sequences. The concluding stage, the Sequencing Lab, deploys advanced sequencing machines to interpret the amplified DNA, enabling senior scientists to construct detailed DNA profiles. These profiles are then matched against family-provided reference samples, facilitating the confirmation of identities of those lost in the disaster.

The Directorate urges family members to submit DNA samples to expedite the identification process. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)