DNA profiling for mass disaster victim identification

Abstract

DNA profiling is the gold standard for human identification. This technique has been widely used successfully not only in forensic and crime investigations but also in identification of victims in mass disasters. Kerala, southern state of India, witnessed two major disasters in 2016 and 2017, which lead to the loss of many lives. Puttingal temple firework disaster that happened in 2016 resulted in dead bodies scattering all over the place and visual identification of the victims were impossible in many cases. DNA analysis identified 15 of the 17 reported missing persons by comparing DNA profiles obtained from the burned flesh and bone samples collected from the site with the DNA profiles of the relatives of the missing persons. When Ockhi cyclone caused devastation in 2017, unidentifiable decayed dead bodies, a total of 74, recovered from the sea were identified using DNA profiling is the gold standard for human identification. This technique has been widely used successfully not only in forensic and crime investigations but also in identification of victims in mass disasters. Kerala, southern state of India, witnessed two major disasters in 2016 and 2017, which lead to the loss of many lives. Puttingal temple firework disaster that happened in 2016 resulted in dead bodies scattering all over the place and visual identification of the victims were impossible in many cases. DNA analysis identified 15 of the 17 reported missing persons by comparing DNA profiles obtained from the burned flesh and bone samples collected from the site with the DNA profiles of the relatives of the missing persons. When Ockhi cyclone caused devastation in 2017, unidentifiable decayed dead bodies, a total of 74, recovered from the sea were identified using