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The genomic DNA profiling of unidentified dead bodies – A forensic perspective from Himachal Pradesh, India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1DNA Unit, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • 2DNA Unit, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • 3DNA Unit, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

Res. J. Forensic Sci., Volume 12, Issue (2), Pages 1-7, July,29 (2024)

Abstract

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling from different samples of unidentified dead bodies is a challenging task in forensic laboratories. These dead bodies are recovered from mass disasters, forest fires, traffic accidents, avalanches, plane crashes, etc. DNA profiling from these dead bodies is essential for law enforcement because concerned relatives of the unknown deceased may later make legal claims. Therefore, it is crucial from a forensic and legal perspective to identify these dead bodies. In this study, the demographic overview and DNA profiling of unidentified dead bodies from Himachal Pradesh, India was assessed for a period of seven years i.e., 2014 to 2020. Different parameters were selected for the demographic study and DNA profiles were generated from different samples viz. blood sample on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards, blood samples on cotton gauze, muscle tissues, hair, teeth, blood samples, skin tissue, bones such as sternum, femur, ribs, jaw, humerus, clavicle, skull, radius, thumb, ulna, tibia, and fingers. It was found among unidentified dead bodies; the most common age groups were 21-40 years (38.2%) with 91.8% male. Most of the unidentified deceased were retrieved in decomposed state (32%). The river was the most common place where dead bodies were retrieved due to drowning (12.8%) and most of them were recovered during the rainy season of Himachal Pradesh i.e., July-September (29.4%). Furthermore, the percentage of DNA profiles from different samples was calculated and it was observed that bones such as thumb, humerus, radius, ulna, clavicle, sternum, ribs, femur, finger and skin tissue, teeth, blood samples on cotton gauzes were suitable exhibits for genotyping from both fresh and putrefied unidentified dead bodies. This study will help medical professionals in collecting and preserving suitable exhibits during autopsies of unidentified dead bodies for complete DNA profiling in forensic science laboratories so that law enforcement agencies can minimize the social and legal burden of the same. Furthermore, a database can be created from the DNA profiles of unidentified dead bodies to determine their identity.

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