DNA finger-printing results in five hours

IIIT-A’s latest feat

THE INTRICACIES of DNA codes and finger-printing which often land many researchers and experts into a labyrinthine alley of confusion, are no longer a matter of concern at Allahabad's Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-A).

The IIIT-A has acquired a rare efficiency in producing DNA finger-printing in just five to six hours. A special forensic lab which has been established at the Indo-Russian Centre for Biotechnology at IIIT-A is well embellished with latest DNA synthesizer and decoders, besides cold room, deep freezers and mega computational equipment needed for the complex work.

"A delegation of Delhi High Court during a recent visit to participate in a seminar on IT tendered a proposal to IIIT-A for establishing a state-of-the-art DNA finger printing laboratory in order to expedite the pending cases particularly related with DNA finger-printing in the courts and aid in the overall early decision making process," informed Director of IIIT-A, Dr MD Tiwari. He, however, said that that proposal was aborted due to legal complexities which are embedded in the procedure of unwinding the codes.

Dr Tiwari said that the present forensic lab of IIIT-A is capable of producing the DNA finger-printing results within five hours unlike the long duration being taken by most of the other institutions including the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad which are taking up a month and more for the same work.

As per latest estimates, thousands of cases are pending at the central forensic laboratories of the country for the DNA finger-printing reports.

The pending reports are believed to be the root cause of the delay in taking the final decision over the court cases.

The father of DNA finger-printing in India Prof Lalji Singh, who is presently director of CCMB-Hyderabad, has personally paid a visit to the IIIT-A lab and praised its efficiency and capability.

The forensic laboratory is being continuously upgraded according to the need of research, and latest equipment of estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh were augmented just a few weeks back.

"A proposal has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of HRD for upgrading the laboratory further," said Dr MD Tiwari.

He said that IIIT-A is confident of remaining active in rendering service to the nation in solving the mystical maze of crime through these ultramodern techniques.

It is worth mentioning that IIIT-A is also conducting a Masters Programme in Cyber Law which requires intensive expertise in such technologies and equipment.