ISLAMABAD, May 28: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will establish a forensic DNA laboratory at the National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, with an amount of Rs36 million. The project will develop the existing nucleus DNA typing facility into a full scale laboratory specifically designed and equipped to undertake forensic DNA case work.

It would help improve DNA typing procedures by incorporating serology, chemistry and analytical procedures; conduct short training courses in forensic DNA for police officers, civil judges, prosecuting officers, defence attorneys and civil hospital technicians; create well-trained manpower to undertake case work in crime investigation; and extend the presently developed DNA typing procedures to animal breeding.

According to HEC, the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, Lahore, proposes to establish a forensic DNA laboratory as a moderate initiative to develop relevant laboratory infrastructure, create specifically trained manpower, develop DNA databank which can be used at the national level to fight terrorism, and finally apply procedures developed at the CEMB for the identification of humans (crime investigation and parenthood identification) and animals (animal breed identification).

The advent of DNA typing procedures coupled with abilities to isolate DNA from trace biological materials and to amplify it through PCR procedures has made possible the use of trace biological evidence in crime investigation.

DNA typing is a benign procedure that does not involve corporal punishment.

It is an extremely reliable method to identify the guilty from a group of suspects. Applications of DNA typing require sophisticated equipment such a DNA sequencer and PCR machines, trained manpower and validation of procedures of DNA isolation and genetic analyses on specific populations.

In order to cope with changing needs of crime investigation and to effectively combat terrorism, the government has recently established a National Forensic Science Agency. The success of the programme of the agency critically depends on the availability of trained manpower, including laboratory personnel, attorneys, judges and hospital technicians; and authentication and validation of protocols to isolate DNA.