First training session held at DNA Lab for Police officials

KARACHI: The Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) organized a hands-on training session for police officials on crime scene investigation at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi.

As many as 31 police officials attended the training session, which was conducted by Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, SFDL Project Director, and Dr Nouman Rasool, SFDL Technical Manager.

The SFDL laboratory has successfully set up at the Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genome Research, which works as a part of Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi.

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, speaking on occasion, said that the SFDL was the first forensic laboratory in Sindh to assist law enforcement agencies in the detection, identification, and analysis of human DNA and biological fluids from the crime scene.

He pointed out that forensic science was known to be an essential part of the toolkit for law enforcement agency and its personnel when it came to solving crimes. Most of the investigations, these days could not be completed successfully without a forensic component, he added.

Keeping the importance of forensic science in mind, the SFDL has organized this training session for police officials, he said.

Dr Ahmed informed the participants that the laboratory was set up to help police and prosecution to provide speedy and transparent justice to common people. Now there is no need to send the samples out of Sindh for DNA analysis, he said.

He appreciated the role of the Sindh Health Department and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in setting up this modern research facility.

He proceeded to state that the SFDL was an advanced state-of-the-art facility comprising of well-trained staff, tailored laboratory space, biometric access to laboratories and security cameras in each laboratory, independent workflows for evidence and reference samples, advanced laboratory equipment, standard operating procedures according to the international standards, and a guaranteed mechanism for quality assurance as per international standards.

Dr Nouman Rasool, SFDL Technical Manager, gave an inclusive talk on identification, lifting, packaging, and transport of biological evidence. In his speech, he explained the threat to biological evidence, which could damage the DNA.

He answered different questions asked by the participants regarding the difficulties, which they face during an on-field investigation.

He also imparted a hands-on training, in which participants investigated a mock crime scene and collected the biological evidence. At the end of the training, participants were award certificates.

During the session, the participants were excited about getting such advanced training, and they expressed their gratitude to the SFDL administration for arranging the useful training. They said that this training would enhance their skills to investigate crime scenes, and now they could get more benefits from this laboratory as well.