The Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi has completed the DNA-based identification of victims of PIA air crash. A few cases where relatives have not contacted are pending and will be deciphered on the availability of reference samples. The Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi and COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. IqbalChoudhary stated this on Monday. He said, “As many as 69 samples have been received from the families of the victims, and 70 samples of the victims have also been received from Police Department so far.” State of the art machines and expertise were employed to complete this huge work on record time of 8 days with 100 per cent accuracy, he said, adding that the work included complete profiling over 69 relatives and over 50 bodies. He said, “It required matching of each DNA profile of deceased with all 69 references.” A time of volunteers and scientists work 24/7 to complete this national assignment, he said, and maintained that Government of Sindh had provided excellent support coordination in this highly technical work conducted in Pakistan’s latest forensic DNA facility. It is pertinent to mention here thatSindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) is the first of its kind facility in Sindh that specializes in the detection, identification and analysis of human DNA from evidence samples collected by law enforcement agencies from crime scenes. The Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) is set up at the Jamil-ur-Rahman Centre for Genome Research, which works as part of the DrPanjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) at the University of Karachi.
